Saturday, July 30, 2011
Have you been garlanded?
Have you been garlanded?
As i made moves to leave the National Capital, travelling in an autorickshaw which seem to be in an auto mode, i spotted a good collection of people holding garlands in their hands and some tucked in their sizeable pockets here and there. They were assigned with the task of garlanding those whom they viewed as the prospective material who could change their destiny ; and failing which by garlanding themselves they had the potential to change their own destiny.
These garlanders, who on some nights worked as bartenders wanted to pursue their passion to garland people not known to them and by garlanding getting blown by them, were in fact holding on to the family tradition continuing for generations. I spotted these garlanders at places as gargantuan as bus stops, traffic intersections and arrival and departure lounge of the railway stations.
The first place i saw them in quantity, having had the elaborate meals to make them be on their feet the entire day with garlands in hand and pockets was the railway station. They were making frequent enquiries about trains that were supposed to come and depart on time and those which had willingly decided to get stranded fearing the garlanding operation their passengers would be subjected to once they step out. The garlanders could be seen engaged in animated discussions on the people they should garland and who in all likelihood were to be their targets were to be decided by the fabric they sported and the number of times they skipped meals and sleep in the faint hope of getting garlanded one day.
Having spotted me in the railway station, they dare not approach me as i had already garlanded myself with a garland of a gargantuan gale. The garland i was carrying in person though showed that i belonged to their tribe as they too had garlanded themselves before they stepped out of their homes to garland the world. The exchange between me and them was not traceable but i could trace the tribe at other places as well. The next destination happened to be the bus stop which for more occasions served as a spitting spot; where people converged to spit and if possible swim if it had rained and the roads got potholedly ruined. The rain-cum-spit spot had not been a picture of interest for others but for garlanders the perfect place to get stranded if for the entire day they could not spot one prospective client to garland.
As the buses carrying extra load than the inhouse passengers desired came and halted, those getting down were frisked-cum-fumed by these garlanders and given a long stare to suggest their inability to garland them as they were not seen as readymade material to change their destiny. The garlanders desisted from garlanding and in the process the passengers who hoped to get garlanded returned home with no garlands and no extra friends. At the bus stop, the garlanders even had the temerity to get inside the bus and take a hard look at the passengers seated and those yet to get unseated to realise their garlanding goal. With no success in sight, they stepped out and threw one garland on the roof of the bus to suggest it could move to another garlanding spot. Though i had taken a roadway bus on my way to diversions never seen in my life, what i spotted inside were a large number of gardeners who had previously served as garlanders. The tale i heard from them showed the utter contempt the public had for garlanders and against such odds it became more appropriate for them to turn to gardeners who actually had something to guard and geared towards.
My deliberations with these gardeners continued till all the diversions had disappeared and still left me in a dilemma on the choice between garlanders and gardeners. The sizeable interventions from others hasn't helped me to fix the riddle. But seeing the quantum scale of curd being dispensed with the other day and the benefits that accrue, it is better to be a curdler with no sour turn whatsoever.
As i made moves to leave the National Capital, travelling in an autorickshaw which seem to be in an auto mode, i spotted a good collection of people holding garlands in their hands and some tucked in their sizeable pockets here and there. They were assigned with the task of garlanding those whom they viewed as the prospective material who could change their destiny ; and failing which by garlanding themselves they had the potential to change their own destiny.
These garlanders, who on some nights worked as bartenders wanted to pursue their passion to garland people not known to them and by garlanding getting blown by them, were in fact holding on to the family tradition continuing for generations. I spotted these garlanders at places as gargantuan as bus stops, traffic intersections and arrival and departure lounge of the railway stations.
The first place i saw them in quantity, having had the elaborate meals to make them be on their feet the entire day with garlands in hand and pockets was the railway station. They were making frequent enquiries about trains that were supposed to come and depart on time and those which had willingly decided to get stranded fearing the garlanding operation their passengers would be subjected to once they step out. The garlanders could be seen engaged in animated discussions on the people they should garland and who in all likelihood were to be their targets were to be decided by the fabric they sported and the number of times they skipped meals and sleep in the faint hope of getting garlanded one day.
Having spotted me in the railway station, they dare not approach me as i had already garlanded myself with a garland of a gargantuan gale. The garland i was carrying in person though showed that i belonged to their tribe as they too had garlanded themselves before they stepped out of their homes to garland the world. The exchange between me and them was not traceable but i could trace the tribe at other places as well. The next destination happened to be the bus stop which for more occasions served as a spitting spot; where people converged to spit and if possible swim if it had rained and the roads got potholedly ruined. The rain-cum-spit spot had not been a picture of interest for others but for garlanders the perfect place to get stranded if for the entire day they could not spot one prospective client to garland.
As the buses carrying extra load than the inhouse passengers desired came and halted, those getting down were frisked-cum-fumed by these garlanders and given a long stare to suggest their inability to garland them as they were not seen as readymade material to change their destiny. The garlanders desisted from garlanding and in the process the passengers who hoped to get garlanded returned home with no garlands and no extra friends. At the bus stop, the garlanders even had the temerity to get inside the bus and take a hard look at the passengers seated and those yet to get unseated to realise their garlanding goal. With no success in sight, they stepped out and threw one garland on the roof of the bus to suggest it could move to another garlanding spot. Though i had taken a roadway bus on my way to diversions never seen in my life, what i spotted inside were a large number of gardeners who had previously served as garlanders. The tale i heard from them showed the utter contempt the public had for garlanders and against such odds it became more appropriate for them to turn to gardeners who actually had something to guard and geared towards.
My deliberations with these gardeners continued till all the diversions had disappeared and still left me in a dilemma on the choice between garlanders and gardeners. The sizeable interventions from others hasn't helped me to fix the riddle. But seeing the quantum scale of curd being dispensed with the other day and the benefits that accrue, it is better to be a curdler with no sour turn whatsoever.
The night gone by in Relief Road
The night gone by in Relief Road
The night gone by had been no different from the nights i have confronted in the past few years. It wasn't a night that stayed clear of commotion; the hyperactiveness of some to disrupt the peace was inevitable given they had zeroed in on the target and the ruckus they would create. I won't blame the accommodation centre for the laxity in maintaining the vigil but they should have been cautious enough to debar entry of those who wanted to create mayhem.
There was one vehicle posted right in front of the lodge with a Rajasthan number plate and perhaps the root of the trouble lay there. The occupant of the vehicle could be the figure out to foment trouble given the spare time they are saddled with. Post meals and collection of curd as i entered the lodge, quite appropriate to the task they were assigned with the trouble-makers started making foray into a territory they had specialised in and this continued right into the morning. In between the trouble-makers gave themselves a break and returned to the proceedings to renew their pledge.
The thumping of the floor above me and the sounds of convenience that it generated for them showed their hold on the system ; and how conveniently they could get away with their criminal acts. The thumping started right after 8 in the night and continued well past 7 in the morning. Well, what they want to prove is difficult to make a guess but if this sort of irrational behaviour continues untamed then one would lose faith in the people who are supposed to be saviours.
I am supposed to travel to two different towns in the coming days and if i am faced with this form of brutal aggression then God save those who indulge in such acts. Primarily because everything comes back to you in life.
The beasts are on prowl and the immediate agenda is to make others shriek and shiver. Against all such forms of instability(thumping and rocking the floor above you) the consolation has been i have been able to manage at least two to three hours of sleep - and the odds i am faced with should at least console me that sleep would come no matter from where the disturbing trends emerge. As for the assurance from the lodgewallah that such acts of notoriety won't be entertained would be a tall order and the best course would be to be on extra vigil. Who on earth can give this assurance when some in the world are mad to know that the disturbances in places like West African states have yet to travel to India. Though the tales emanating now has its roots in the National Capital but it is branching out at a feverish pace.
Some of the hoarding i came across in the city, touted as Epicentre of the State in progression, were: "I am proud to be voted the best high rise apartment in the city" followed by "I am proud to be voted the best hotel in the city". These hoardings visible on Ellis bridge with a view to increase the visibility aims to catch attention of those who are prospective apartment owners or those who have a sizeable appetite to check in a hotel for a duration that their cash and the carry bag in which they have stored cash can permit. The cash is stupendous and knowing that these hoardings of immeasurable value have been erected so as to enable some to empty their wallet and subsequently get into the line of EMI bracket if they have haven't done so far.
As for commoners like us who wish to remain stranded than get in this EMI firefighting operations, the best course is to view the hoarding and look for a peaceful boarding where few would rattle and fewer would provoke you to engage in long night battle. As the muggy weather continues, the best discourse we hear is on the source of happiness and perhaps it lies within than show a fake grin.
The night gone by had been no different from the nights i have confronted in the past few years. It wasn't a night that stayed clear of commotion; the hyperactiveness of some to disrupt the peace was inevitable given they had zeroed in on the target and the ruckus they would create. I won't blame the accommodation centre for the laxity in maintaining the vigil but they should have been cautious enough to debar entry of those who wanted to create mayhem.
There was one vehicle posted right in front of the lodge with a Rajasthan number plate and perhaps the root of the trouble lay there. The occupant of the vehicle could be the figure out to foment trouble given the spare time they are saddled with. Post meals and collection of curd as i entered the lodge, quite appropriate to the task they were assigned with the trouble-makers started making foray into a territory they had specialised in and this continued right into the morning. In between the trouble-makers gave themselves a break and returned to the proceedings to renew their pledge.
The thumping of the floor above me and the sounds of convenience that it generated for them showed their hold on the system ; and how conveniently they could get away with their criminal acts. The thumping started right after 8 in the night and continued well past 7 in the morning. Well, what they want to prove is difficult to make a guess but if this sort of irrational behaviour continues untamed then one would lose faith in the people who are supposed to be saviours.
I am supposed to travel to two different towns in the coming days and if i am faced with this form of brutal aggression then God save those who indulge in such acts. Primarily because everything comes back to you in life.
The beasts are on prowl and the immediate agenda is to make others shriek and shiver. Against all such forms of instability(thumping and rocking the floor above you) the consolation has been i have been able to manage at least two to three hours of sleep - and the odds i am faced with should at least console me that sleep would come no matter from where the disturbing trends emerge. As for the assurance from the lodgewallah that such acts of notoriety won't be entertained would be a tall order and the best course would be to be on extra vigil. Who on earth can give this assurance when some in the world are mad to know that the disturbances in places like West African states have yet to travel to India. Though the tales emanating now has its roots in the National Capital but it is branching out at a feverish pace.
Some of the hoarding i came across in the city, touted as Epicentre of the State in progression, were: "I am proud to be voted the best high rise apartment in the city" followed by "I am proud to be voted the best hotel in the city". These hoardings visible on Ellis bridge with a view to increase the visibility aims to catch attention of those who are prospective apartment owners or those who have a sizeable appetite to check in a hotel for a duration that their cash and the carry bag in which they have stored cash can permit. The cash is stupendous and knowing that these hoardings of immeasurable value have been erected so as to enable some to empty their wallet and subsequently get into the line of EMI bracket if they have haven't done so far.
As for commoners like us who wish to remain stranded than get in this EMI firefighting operations, the best course is to view the hoarding and look for a peaceful boarding where few would rattle and fewer would provoke you to engage in long night battle. As the muggy weather continues, the best discourse we hear is on the source of happiness and perhaps it lies within than show a fake grin.
Friday, July 29, 2011
The ride from National Capital and the ability to stay from verbal duel
The ride from National Capital and the ability to stay from verbal duel
As i left the national capital, with no national outlook to issues concerning the national capital region, the NCR itself was a picture of a looming disaster. The bumper to bumper traffic was visible and so was the visibility of men women and those intending to be neutral driving big and small cars (eventually to be converted to big ones),with no concern whatsoever for those who had taken the roadways buses which were finding it difficult to negotiate. The accumulation to be followed by dispersion at toll plazas showed the desire of those in cars to reach their destination on time possibly made plausible if others made way for them. THE NCR was concrete to a point where big rises rescued so far from big crisis could be spotted and forgotten in no quick time but alarming was its intent as far as giving shape to traffic mismanagement was concerned. Traffic was heavy and so were the minds of those laden with the thought of remaining spellbound to the attractions of sizeably locating to NCR with their sizeables wares and machines.
As for me, the bus commute was taken following the railways dogged resistance to run any shuttle service between 10 a.m. and 12.15 p.m. compounded by the fact that when the ticket (lone vacant seat was all that i came across) was sought for a destination the previous day, there was no success as it happened to be the enquiry counter. But still, the other ticket that i got from this very reservation centre was with no extra effort and this centre is any day better than Nizamuddin and Sarojini Nagar reservation centres where the attempt is to get something extra from your side. Given the gargantuan scale at which the railways work, to expect them to tide over the loopholes would be unrealistic but they need to keep a tight rein on TTEs who are on prowl in all weather friendly and weather distressing moments.
Having been fleeced by an autowallah for charging close to 100rs (the need to start the fare from 20rs was one bad move that has left commuters in recurring pain) for letting me reach the station with no injuries whatsoever, i knew the time had come for problems to erupt. With no respite in sight i was left with no option but to board a roadway bus. The roadway bus was true to its potential as it took more than the promised/desired hours to reach the destination given there were no less than 60 to 70 diversions on the way with stranded visibility at innumerable toll plazas adding to the discomfort. These toll plazas are comforting for those who after having driven for endless hours followed by endless fights find this phase of immobility as the opportune moment to get out of their cars to make calls to those whom they have not kept them in loop on their desires and destinations.
The ride from the heart of the city to the outskirts was on roads that were declared to be big but eventually turned to a bitter pill once all vehicles of all shapes sizes and guzzler began to surface. Once the city and its extension was negotiated, the forward ride was no cheer either as diversions were there and so were the divergent views of the driver and conductor to halt the bus at every conceivable stop and see to it that all those occupying and stranded on roads could be bodily lifted into the bus. More concerned on whether i would be able to reach Khwaja's place on time, i refrained from the task of noticing the billboards and hoardings on the way. But there were some that could not be ignored given their faulty positioning. One said: "your search is over. from all stress to all fatigue ailments the solution is round the corner". The ad was all-weather friendly as it detailed the areas and associations that can bring stress and the objective to distress on your own can eventually lead to strong bouts of stress. Others were: "we strive to surpass your expectations by delivering the best" and "live 400 feet above ground". The one on striving to surpass your expectations by delivering the best showed the clarity of the advertiser to not spare you till the last breath by delivering according to the expectations they see from those who have been branded to create upheaval and those who have not been acclimatised to do the same.
As the bus shuddered and moved, the destination was still far away when i deboarded and it was late in the evening i got to my place. What followed after meals and the churning revolt in the tummy showed the sensitivity to the surroundings and a change in travel plans which GOD willing won't be thwarted for long.
As i write this with visible happenings in the background, the cafewallah has sounded a note of warning that cctvs are very much operational. This man should have the ability to delineate between those who are trouble-makers and those who aren't. Before reaching this cafe, the stationery shop i visited and made enquiries about writing pad showed the foul mood the shopkeeper was in and his ability to stay in the same frame for the next 24 hrs, intrusion into home and destruction included. There is a man in the cafe claiming to have left the job he desisted and his previous employers claiming to be an act of dethronement. In between the two claims are the swift expectations the sides have and probably the hoarding on the way to Rajasthan could provide a readymade solution. Both sides are in a state of stress; one stressful that the former employee would elope with a new company and other stressed whether the old act of estrangement and new folly of elopement could prove fatal.
As for those who elope beyond seven seas their acts are in continuity and true to their expectations/potential.
As i left the national capital, with no national outlook to issues concerning the national capital region, the NCR itself was a picture of a looming disaster. The bumper to bumper traffic was visible and so was the visibility of men women and those intending to be neutral driving big and small cars (eventually to be converted to big ones),with no concern whatsoever for those who had taken the roadways buses which were finding it difficult to negotiate. The accumulation to be followed by dispersion at toll plazas showed the desire of those in cars to reach their destination on time possibly made plausible if others made way for them. THE NCR was concrete to a point where big rises rescued so far from big crisis could be spotted and forgotten in no quick time but alarming was its intent as far as giving shape to traffic mismanagement was concerned. Traffic was heavy and so were the minds of those laden with the thought of remaining spellbound to the attractions of sizeably locating to NCR with their sizeables wares and machines.
As for me, the bus commute was taken following the railways dogged resistance to run any shuttle service between 10 a.m. and 12.15 p.m. compounded by the fact that when the ticket (lone vacant seat was all that i came across) was sought for a destination the previous day, there was no success as it happened to be the enquiry counter. But still, the other ticket that i got from this very reservation centre was with no extra effort and this centre is any day better than Nizamuddin and Sarojini Nagar reservation centres where the attempt is to get something extra from your side. Given the gargantuan scale at which the railways work, to expect them to tide over the loopholes would be unrealistic but they need to keep a tight rein on TTEs who are on prowl in all weather friendly and weather distressing moments.
Having been fleeced by an autowallah for charging close to 100rs (the need to start the fare from 20rs was one bad move that has left commuters in recurring pain) for letting me reach the station with no injuries whatsoever, i knew the time had come for problems to erupt. With no respite in sight i was left with no option but to board a roadway bus. The roadway bus was true to its potential as it took more than the promised/desired hours to reach the destination given there were no less than 60 to 70 diversions on the way with stranded visibility at innumerable toll plazas adding to the discomfort. These toll plazas are comforting for those who after having driven for endless hours followed by endless fights find this phase of immobility as the opportune moment to get out of their cars to make calls to those whom they have not kept them in loop on their desires and destinations.
The ride from the heart of the city to the outskirts was on roads that were declared to be big but eventually turned to a bitter pill once all vehicles of all shapes sizes and guzzler began to surface. Once the city and its extension was negotiated, the forward ride was no cheer either as diversions were there and so were the divergent views of the driver and conductor to halt the bus at every conceivable stop and see to it that all those occupying and stranded on roads could be bodily lifted into the bus. More concerned on whether i would be able to reach Khwaja's place on time, i refrained from the task of noticing the billboards and hoardings on the way. But there were some that could not be ignored given their faulty positioning. One said: "your search is over. from all stress to all fatigue ailments the solution is round the corner". The ad was all-weather friendly as it detailed the areas and associations that can bring stress and the objective to distress on your own can eventually lead to strong bouts of stress. Others were: "we strive to surpass your expectations by delivering the best" and "live 400 feet above ground". The one on striving to surpass your expectations by delivering the best showed the clarity of the advertiser to not spare you till the last breath by delivering according to the expectations they see from those who have been branded to create upheaval and those who have not been acclimatised to do the same.
As the bus shuddered and moved, the destination was still far away when i deboarded and it was late in the evening i got to my place. What followed after meals and the churning revolt in the tummy showed the sensitivity to the surroundings and a change in travel plans which GOD willing won't be thwarted for long.
As i write this with visible happenings in the background, the cafewallah has sounded a note of warning that cctvs are very much operational. This man should have the ability to delineate between those who are trouble-makers and those who aren't. Before reaching this cafe, the stationery shop i visited and made enquiries about writing pad showed the foul mood the shopkeeper was in and his ability to stay in the same frame for the next 24 hrs, intrusion into home and destruction included. There is a man in the cafe claiming to have left the job he desisted and his previous employers claiming to be an act of dethronement. In between the two claims are the swift expectations the sides have and probably the hoarding on the way to Rajasthan could provide a readymade solution. Both sides are in a state of stress; one stressful that the former employee would elope with a new company and other stressed whether the old act of estrangement and new folly of elopement could prove fatal.
As for those who elope beyond seven seas their acts are in continuity and true to their expectations/potential.
The astro column and those who desist-cum-resist them
The astro column and those who desist-cum-resist them
The number of times we come across pages in a newspaper suggesting if it is your birthday today or 365 days later the destiny-change is round the corner. These pages, bereft of ads and bare-all picture of long lasting impact, has columns on astrospeak which most commoners desist to take a peek.
The astro column, elaborates on the sun sign and the change in fortune that lies ahead. They also elaborate on the signages that we come across in cities and towns and how sizeably we should seize them. THe column goads you right from type of school - academic, acting, sleeping and slamming - you should attend to the type of peers you should stay away from. From the food you should take in plenty in the morning to the dhabas you should resist visitation in the evening. From the brand that could be adored to the slang that could be abhorred.
From the personal triumph to personal abyss all are sizeably noticeable in these columns and how one can transform from abyss to triumph and vice versa once the chain of commands is adhered to. Right from the battle o the personal front you are waging to professional clutter you are in, the suggestive remedies are prescribed failing which one is doomed.
The astro column also takes a hard look at the forces pitted against you and how you can pit the forces against them which have been immobile so far to get them the desired wheels. Nailed to the bottom how one can wriggle out is all there.
Those who desist from reading them see to it that such columns reach those whom they have not been able to resist so far.
The number of times we come across pages in a newspaper suggesting if it is your birthday today or 365 days later the destiny-change is round the corner. These pages, bereft of ads and bare-all picture of long lasting impact, has columns on astrospeak which most commoners desist to take a peek.
The astro column, elaborates on the sun sign and the change in fortune that lies ahead. They also elaborate on the signages that we come across in cities and towns and how sizeably we should seize them. THe column goads you right from type of school - academic, acting, sleeping and slamming - you should attend to the type of peers you should stay away from. From the food you should take in plenty in the morning to the dhabas you should resist visitation in the evening. From the brand that could be adored to the slang that could be abhorred.
From the personal triumph to personal abyss all are sizeably noticeable in these columns and how one can transform from abyss to triumph and vice versa once the chain of commands is adhered to. Right from the battle o the personal front you are waging to professional clutter you are in, the suggestive remedies are prescribed failing which one is doomed.
The astro column also takes a hard look at the forces pitted against you and how you can pit the forces against them which have been immobile so far to get them the desired wheels. Nailed to the bottom how one can wriggle out is all there.
Those who desist from reading them see to it that such columns reach those whom they have not been able to resist so far.
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