Author: farooq Page 28 of 45

The Wash Bucket Challenge

On April 8, 2015

Like every month, when all plans were in place for the trip, I searched up my wardrobe to fill up the travel bag. It is kind of the only time I end up looking for clothes with so much importance. You need to figure out what kind of clothes to carry, how many to carry and most important of them all whether there are any washed clothes or not.

Sadly, this time around, there were hardly any!!

The trip was a day away and I serious;y needed to wash ‘em up. Giving out to a dhobhi wasn’t an option. It was late-night and even if I somehow managed to give it off early morning, there was no way, he would return it to me before the my train leaves for Kerala.

Finally, I had to take the plunge. I decided to wash them on my own.

With Ariel Matic and a bucket full of necessary clothes, I put them all in the washing machine.

It is not like I do not wah my clothes, but it takes a lot of effort you know. I mean you need to take these clothes, wash them, then dry them out and not to forget the fact that sometimes, it ends up raining, and all your efforts are gone down the drain. Down the terrace pipe, to be precise.

But the fact that once, it all is done, you feel happy. Happy to have done something productive.

In particular, washing with Ariel Matic was a delightful experience. It requires very less detergent and the clothes just get rid of all the dirt they might have accumulated over time.

Finally, I packed up all my stuff for the Kerala tour.

This post has been written in collaboration with Blogadda for Airiel’s #WshBucketChallenge

I also nominate Sarabjeet, Akshay, Shreya, Shreesha and Preethi for the #WashBucketChallenge

Let’s help the School Boat Sail

By farooq

On April 2, 2015

In Others

Traditional vs. Contemporary thinking. These two have for long been placed at the opposite ends of a lot of debates. If you happen to be inclined to one side, or your lifestyle seems to infer that you are, you are branded like one. Call it tradition, fundamentalism or the often used tag of “backward”. People who hold onto their traditional slash religious slash cultural practices are more often painted with the same brush of supposed “backwardness”. A Modern lifestyle doesn’t necessarily mean that their thinking has changed as well.

India is a land of traditions and culture and for long this has this has acted as binding glue to shaped us the way we are today. The Guru-shisya Parampara has long been part of these traditions, and is not just limited to just Hinduism. Christian Missionaries have also been very helpful in promoting education in different parts of our country. Although Madarsas have been only part of the religious teaching, but over time contemporary subjects of Mathematics, Social Science and even English have found their way into syllabuses as well. Of course, people for who propaganda is bread-butter continue to be skeptical about it all.

All of these are not about leaving traditions, but modifying the practices to accommodate the contemporary thinking. Having said that, there’s nothing wrong in even the Traditional ways of learning as well. Knowledge of any nature is always helpful. It is what makes us human and wiser. Illiteracy has been the biggest roadblock in the development of our country along with rampant corruption. An educated India will help not just in the growth, but also in making sure that other obstacles in our development are removed as well.

The Journey of Doing Right for the NGO Guria under the leadership of Ajeet Singh is slowly helping in the magical transformation of Varanasi.

(Image Courtesy: The Week)

Varanasi, the place known for its traditions and religious fervor, has long been a victim of Illiteracy. But a unique concept of Varanasi Boat school is now slowly becoming the torch-bearer for removing illiteracy from the place. After a regular day at school, they are given a boat ride of 2 hours to teach, without any pressure. This unique way of keeping children off the streets where they waste their time into other activities and end up losing interest in studies, is proving really helpful. This method of no-pressure learning to focus more on studies is a stepping stone towards removing illiteracy. They are not limited to tools of regular schools and this method provides an ideal learning environment for them to learn without any added pressure.

We all can contribute towards the cause by helping them raise funds for the boat school scholarship. Let us Do Right by devoting our resources for these kids, the learning environment they deserve. Do Right.

Thank you, Team India!!

By farooq

On March 26, 2015

In Sports

Just when MS Dhoni got run out. The final nail on India’s world cup campaign was bolted and put to rest. It was not as if after a mammoth total of 329 was comfortable to be chased from the start, but till he was at the crease, there was little hope left in all of us, cheering from our homes and the huge numbers at the stadium itself.

We lost to a better team. We did everything right in the whole tournament. Surprisingly, our bowling attack was the superstar of the lot. We fielded well and most of our batters also got good runs on the board. This, coming from a team which was not in the list of favourites of hardly any. Even when it was the defending Champions.

Perhaps the game against Pakistan set things up. The passion rose and so did the performance. Beating South Africa and in the manner which we did ? Well, the hopes of 1.2 Billion were now scaling new heights.

Nasser Hussain made a statement the other day, actually putting a question to Rahul Dravid while in the commentary box, “ Did India peaked too early?”. Along came the cheeky reply from Dravid, “It is better to peak early then not peak at all”. Of course, it was a friendly jibe by Jammy. Now, I do wonder, did we peaked too early ?

I’m no expert. Just a cricket fan and hence reading too much into all this, or about the momentum would be wrong.

Anyways, as we stand now, we lost our first game in this world cup. Heartbreaking ? Yes.

You can see people out with swords, blaming one or the other. To the bizzare extent that people have been blaming Anushka Sharma whole throughout the day, just when Kohli got out!! Call it “Just Kidding” or anything, it just goes to show how we are so used to blaming something on others. Especially, Women. Not just that, the “Most watched English News Channel” in India says, ” Shamed in Sydney”?!!! I mean shame on you for even bringing such words out of your sensationalizing news channel only looking for TRPs. Stand by your country, not just when they win, but also when they lose. More so, when they’ve played exceptional cricket in the whole tournament. And they were not bad even today!!

I enjoyed the Australian tour, even though we couldn’t win. I enjoyed this World cup, when we won. Today, I am definitely sad that we couldn’t reach the finals, but I’m content that we could reach this far.

I would just like to say, Thank you Team India for putting up a good show. Hope you’ve learnt a lot and in future, you’d make us proud, again.

Dhoni, you fought hard. But then there’s only so much a man can do. You are the hope for us and I’m glad that you are not retiring now. That statement at the presentation ceremony that you are not retiring brought a smile, and I’m thankful for that.

Thank you, Team India.

Gangs of Gopalpur

By farooq

On March 15, 2015

In Random Philosophy

Summer vacations were the most awaited holiday for us. Planning it for months in advance to get ourselves on Purushottam Express.

Close to one and a half month was to be spent in the coastal town of Gopalpur. That’s where my Granny lived, and where my mom’s home was. And is.

It used to be an overnight journey and then a little more, due to train delays and the commute from Berhampur railway station to Gopalpur via bus. Now, let me tell you, the whole journey from Tatanagar Railway station (Jamshedpur’s Railway station is named Tatanagar), on one side and this hour and a half journey in this bus on the other side, but I’ll still say the train journey is easier. We would dread for this, more so because of the dry fish smell and the fishermen themselves giving us company. Still remember us all carrying lemon or even medicine to avoid vomiting.

But the moment we would get off at the bus stand, the excitement and tiring commute would vanish into the air. Not only because we have finally reached but to see our cousins, waiting for us. Exchanging the Salaams and refreshing ourselves with cold drink in the hot humid afternoon weather, we’d be on.

This one is from our Mamajan’s Marriage, with our Maami 🙂 Shahrukh, isn’t part of the picture here, being a tiny toddler at that time, but this is one of those pics where we all are together. Can you spot me ?

Family time it was. The 7 of us will be inseparable for the entire vacations. Most of the evenings were spent on the beach, or on the terrace overlooking the sea or playing something or the other. From hide & seek to Lock-and-key to even Fancy dress competitions, where I’d dress up like a clown most of the time. There is one famous “Court-court” game which makes me laugh even now. 😀

We even used to have birthday celebrations, fake ones of course as most of our birthdays were spread on the later part of the year. Cake was made from grinding biscuits and garnishing it with chocolate. Gifts would be given (and returned later so that it can be rotated to others 😛 ).

Let me introduce all 7 to you in particular order. It was Badi api (zabin), Mobin Api, Sony Api, Me, Arzoo, Nehal and then Shahrukh. One little secret, my name in gopalpur is Anees instead of Farooq (Keep it a secret, will you ? 😛 )

Every night before sleeping, mobin api would tell us some story, something new or something she would make up every night. The following morning, we would all wake up with Duck tales playing on the tv in front of us. What we also had, was a “Who woke up first” competition. After having our Pre-Breakfast of Laddoos or biscuits, we’d wait for the breakfast while watching cartoons. Once it was finished, we’d all head upstairs and apart from any snack-emergency, we’d rarely come down.

There are hundreds of tales of what we would do, and probably a book can be written about the fun times.

Still recall how I used to cry when they’d leave when their vacations used to get over before us. Hated those few days in Gopalpur. Although, before heading for home, we would always stop for a day-or-two at their place in Khurda road, before boarding the train for home. But it was different, Gopalpur became the place for us, because of our togetherness. For 7 of us.

Today, all 7 of us are at seven different places, across countries, states and cities. Our Watsapp group, “Gangs of Gopalpur” keeps us together, thankfully.

There are of course plans to meet soon, but that magic of being those children, being there with little fights, games and fun, can never be replaced.

When I see housing.com with its #Together campaign, it just takes me back to those times.

Here’s to all of you, who have been blessed with amazing siblings, that togetherness is irreplaceable.

Start a new Life

By farooq

On March 10, 2015

In Random Philosophy

Calling out as to who goes the bathroom every morning, or pushing someone to go finish their “task,” so that you can snooze your sleep a little more. That was me, during Hostel and which continued once I started working as well.

How? Well, I lived in a PG with a few friends of mine. Although ‘6’ is not exactly few.

Food was bad. I mean most of the time; I had to spend eating outside. I actually would have explored every eatery in the vicinity. The only time we had to eat was when the month end would dawn upon us.

It was not just the food, but cleanliness too. Living with your friends ends up making you realize how different it is. The adjustment part sucks. More when you happen to be the male version of Monica.

Truth be told, I was not like this. Dirty laundry spread across the room during college was one of the trademarks, but then my roomies were decent too, so It didn’t matter that much then. But, now? Comparatively, I was a Monica. I became Monica. To the uninitiated, she is a cleanliness freak. On an entirely different note, if you happen to have not watched Friends, then skip the post here and watch it.

Finding a flat in Bangalore is tough; tougher is to find a roommate. I didn’t want to live with someone I didn’t know. And the people I knew were scarce in Bangalore. I mean, people I could live with without cribbing about their habits.

But It was time to start over. Time to kick the mood swings because of the place and people I stayed with. It was time to have a home away from home.

With luck, got my college senior back in Bangalore. As luck would have it, he ended up getting a job in my company itself. How great is that ?!

House Hunting began. It was time for #StartANewLife.

We searched it all o the Internet. Got a few leads but either it was the distance from office or just the high rent. Something or the other kept getting in our way. We even ended up hiring a broker for the job, even though we hated it. Who loves them anyway?

All the house hunting websites were so confusing that even after putting so many filters, you just cannot find what you’re looking for. You search for location A, and you get results near F. I mean WTF!!

Nothing seemed to have worked. And then out of the blue, I came across housing.com. We typed in the location, options and lots of options. Not just that, complete info about whether it has been listed by Landlord or agent, map-based search and display, price and negotiating details. All in one place. You might think this is what others have as well, right? But believe me, this is good. Even the UI is very user-friendly.

We shortlisted the options and fixed appointments on the same day, and voila!! We got ourselves a good place in less than 3km from our office. How great is that?

Starting over with the new place, was such a relief. I not only started cooking, which I tell you is one of the best things to happen in quite some time, but I could be at peace with myself. Life has been good. It is good to #StartANewLife

Free Advice ?

By farooq

On March 5, 2015

In Random Philosophy

There are times when you feel bad about saying something. More so, when people take it the wrong way. You actually start judging yourself on those things. Accusations, doubts and then you finally indulge in guilt. Only to keep introspecting and making your day go from bad to worse.

It is in those little sentences and words that you can offend someone or that someone can offend you too. It has never been said any better, words coming out of mouth can never be taken back.

Advice is one such thing. We should keep plenty of it for ourselves. Hoard it. Pack it and just set it aside somewhere. Never distribute it to others. Because the truth is my friend, No one cares.

The day is about to end. Someone else seeks advice. My advice. I’m hesitant. Should I keep it stored? Should I just listen and nod along in solidarity when that someone requests me for something which won’t affect me even if you empty the coffers!!

Advice, we all give out regularly. Of course, sometimes we overdo it. Sometimes, the other person just doesn’t give a shit to listen to that and sometimes we are of the belief that this might be of some help. It is not about recalling something in retrospect to proclaim, “I told you so”. Or maybe it is. It is all Grey.

Finally behind all this melodramatic thoughts enjoy the fulcrum of my tiny brain, I give out what they seek. Like a good friend, in the best of spirit. The way I always do. Isn’t that is what friends are for? Gove out advice which they themselves don’t follow through ever? Yes, I’m that friend. Don’t listen to the sweet talk which I do, but remember I would just like you to not tread the path which I didn’t liked. Knowing well, you might just do the same. After all, you’re my friend right?

What I learnt today is, what the other person values, remains important. Whether they value you the way, you do or not. It is this realization, which takes a while to sink in. But hopefully with a nights’ sleep and the extra box of pizza lying around before I sleep, will be of some help.

Now, you don’t advise me on eating too much of pizza!

Spreading a little Happiness

By farooq

On March 5, 2015

In Random Philosophy, Travel & Food

From all the trips that I’ve done till now, the one last year to Pondicherry has been the best yet. Reasons ? Well I have a lot of em.

This happened to be my first solo trip. I was excited to finally get something off my bucket list. I loved the whole experience of what it brought along with it. Travelling around to explore something new. Meeting people, trying out new cuisines and spending time without having to worry about time itself. Interestingly, the Pondicherry tourism tagline goes by, “Give time a break”. And I did.

During my stay, I was roaming around the town on a bicycle as well as a Vespa on the two days. On the second day, when I had pretty much roamed around the place, was left with time and petrol to spare.

One person, a middle-aged man, was asking for lift to passerby. I stopped my bike close to him. Happily, he boarded the bike and said something in Tamil. After having established that I knew none of it. Except of course Tamil Terriyadu (which means I don’t know Tamil). We conversed in a little broken hindi which he knew, surprisingly. He thanked me for that and I moved on.

Although it was just a start. When you’re driving you can see a lot many asking for lift. In strange and peculiar ways sometimes. Some do the standard waving, while others excitedly wave around to catch attention.

I again met this young lad, clad in a lungi who asked me for lift. We talked a little where he was surprised as to why I was travelling alone. Yes, I get that a lot too. And due to some reasons, I’ve not been able to travel alone much. He enquired about my stay and whether I liked his town or not.

I was almost on my way back, where I met this teenager. Torn jeans and sadly not for his fashion sense, but actually torn, without any shoes or slippers walking along. Occasionally turning back to see if someone stops their vehicle to reduce his effort to walk back home. Or to wherever he meant to be taken to.

I stopped and he was almost expressionless at that time. I signaled him to hop on, which he did and finally put on a little smile. He knew a little English, so we talked. I asked him about what he does to which he replied that he was a daily wage labor and usually heads back home at this time. From what we could talk, it was not very clear because of the language issue. I took out my camera and told him to pose for it, which he was very reluctant to. He then offered to take a picture of me in my camera. Even though I had to teach him on handling the camera, he did take one.

This picture was clicked by him..

Having clicked me, he was happy. As if he has learnt something new. He returned me the camera and shaking hands he went away. I was waiting for the signal to turn Red, while I saw him dancing happily and running into the lane.

I was smiling. It felt good. A different kind of good.

This Entry is part of the #LookUp Stories series by Housing.com in association with Indiblogger.

Remembering Dada…

By farooq

On February 28, 2015

In Random Philosophy

An atlas cycle. Big One. My Grandpa was tall. Would be somewhere around 6′. He customized his cycle to make space for a small seat to place a tiny toddler on it. Yep, that would be me.

I would sit with my legs stretched out and hands on the bell or on something placed in the basket in front. Being the first-born has a lot of perks. You are the centre of attention. Even more, when you happen to be plump and chubby. Oh, yes I was.

Most of my memories of childhood are centred around my grandparents. I used to tag along with them wherever they went. Places I dream of going now, as a kid I have visited a few of them already. Although I hardly remember any!!

My dada has a big influence over my life. I look through the society from his borrowed glasses. My political or religious views, eating habits, to care about anything other than myself and things which I’m yet to experience are all acquired from the old man.

I don’t know whether its old age or a typical dada, bragging about his grandkids for anything under the sun was what he loved to do. Especially among his friends. Relatives ? Well Dadi handled that.

It has been more than 7 years since he passed away (May Allah grant him Jannat), and a lot has happened since. I’m sure that he would have been proud to see his grandkids just become grown ups.

I remember when he kept the cut-out of a write-up I wrote in The Telegraph as a symbol of his own accomplishment.

He was there when I was a kid who won’t stop crying while going to school for the first time. He was there to bring me my first bicycle. He took me to my first ever boat ride. And perhaps a lot of firsts which I can’t recall now.

Our story was similar to the Dhara ad and as mush as the advertisement is nostalgic, it is a reminder of our relationship as well.

Our story was similar to the Dhara ad

(Pic Courtesy: Youtube Video grab)

I remember him even mocking me when I used to complain about anything to Dadi , turning into a one-step Shammi kapoor doing the same. Or even when I used to cry about anything. I hated it back then. But now, it’s those instances which paint a picture of the old man. Must add, he was famous as “Ashok Kumar” back then.

He taught me a lot of things by not actually pushing me to do any of it. He asked me to bring the newspaper as soon as it dropped in the veranda to make sure I inculcate the habit of reading. He used to take me to the mosques and even though instead of praying, I would be at my mischievous best, he’ll still take me. I remember we used to go to different mosques every friday and on our way back, visit a relative who stayed nearby. It was our ritual.

As we grew up, my sister who used to always listen to him and follow the same schedule as he did and my Brother who from the start itself loved the family business, more than I would ever do, became his new favourites. Or as I used to think. I was an attention-seeking child you know.

I was there when he got really sick. I wasn’t when he breathed his last. I wish, I was.

But I can see a lot of him in the way I see things, understand them and relate the world around me. I miss Dada!

This post was written in association with Indiblogger for HDFClife for their Apne ko apne dum pe jeena sikhao campaign. You can check out the video which brings out the perfect story of how “Apne ko apne dum pe jeena sikhao” by HDFClife.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rg8mH2I4VBM

Boats, Terror and Biryani

By farooq

On February 18, 2015

In Politics & Social Issues

Have you ever had the urge to be a terrorist? Leave aside trying to contact ISIS, there is an easy way!!

1. Wriggle around a high-security area acting as if you are carrying something “suspicious”.

2. You can speed up the process by declaring your love for Biryani.

Hawww, you think I’m Joking?

Well, as far as the psych observation of our beloved Defense minister of India, Mr. Manohar Parrikar is concerned Yes, you can.

Let’s get you the details of the “Terror Boat” incident through statements not by me (Not a great “observer” you know)

The “Terror” Boat from Pakistan

On January 3, Kuldip Singh Sheoran, Commander, Indian Coast Guard (North West), Gandhinagar, told The Indian Express: “After we had covered them from the air and the sea, the suspects blew up the boat… suddenly a ball of fire rose into the air and the boat was aflame.”

Something fishy? Of course! What and why they blew up? No, no one has any clue. No proof of anything found.

Our Defense Minister then issues the statement, patting the intelligence and Coasts guard, and at the same time positioning India to be a place where security is taken seriously. At least by this new government.

So on January 5, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said: “A normal boat, even carrying some drugs, can throw away their drugs and surrender. No one is going to be killing himself unless you are motivated enough to do that… As per our information, the boat was under our surveillance for over 12 hours — probably for more than a day — stationed there in one position… (I am) not speculating that it had explosives, but it had some activity in mind that does not fit the description of a smuggling boat. Which smuggler would commit suicide?”

Manohar “keen-observer” parrikar

Mmmm. So, there is no proof that there were explosives but you are speculating (while telling us, you’re not)?

Why cannot this be just a smuggling boat? Because it won’t make a good story to establish India (and more importantly this government) as some “hero”?

Three naval officers told The Indian Express it was inconceivable that Pakistani fishing boats — typically four-crew vessels, with an average length of fewer than 25 meters and equipped with 80-220 horsepower diesel engines, or smaller mechanized sailboats with 30 horsepower engines — could outrun the Coast Guard’s state-of-the-art ships.

The important point here. Our Coast guard can’t even outrun those fishing boats. Is it?

“I’ve been talking to our people in the area”, said Narsibhai Jungi Jadeja, the head of the Porbandar fishing boat owners’ association, “and everyone insists they didn’t see a thing. That surprises me because a fire at night would be visible many nautical miles away”. “I just hope the government clears up the mystery over this because if any Pakistani fishermen have been killed, the Pakistan navy will take vengeance on us,” he said.

Now, amid all this boat blowing itself up and calling it a terror boat even without any proof, comes a shocking statement from Coast Guard official DIG B K Loshali. He said, “I said at night, blow the boat off…We don’t want to serve them biryani…”

Indian Coast Guard DIG B K Loshali on the terror boat incident

Indian Coast Guard DIG B K Loshali boasting about the terror boat incident

Okay, so the boat was blown off by Coast Guard, while the ministry issued the statement that the “terrorists” blew themselves? And all this because they didn’t want to serve Biryani?

Kaunsi aisi biryani khilate ho bhai aap log ?

It is not as if the smugglers’ good people or they should be treated with “biryani” (If that is the worry). But imagine when the same happens when our fishermen wander into their territory too? If fabricating a war-like situation to divert the attention of people and keep your government intact is the “big picture” you are thinking of, then well you are going in the right direction.

This Manish Tewary tweet throws up an interesting similarity between the Gujarat Fake encounters and the terror boat incident.

Contd. them out of water Uncanny similarities to similar modus operandi the fake encounter syndrome to bolster machismo & build Alpha image

— Manish Tewari (@ManishTewari) February 18, 2015

It would be commendable if it was indeed a terror boat, but why should such contradictory statements arise? It’s a matter of serious introspection. I Hope, the ministry discusses the issue and probes the matter over biryani. Or even a “chai pe charcha” would do.

5 Things to do if living was Befikar Umar Bhar

By farooq

On February 17, 2015

In Travel & Food

5 Things to do, if life was Befikar Umar Bhar: Live The Life You Have Always Dreamed Of!

Everyone has their own share of hopes, dreams and aspirations that drive them to pursue their goals. Imagine a life without any constraints, nothing to hold you back.

I saw this very sweet advertisement from IDBI about #BefikarUmarBhar. I do agree that these sales people trying hard to push the numerous policies are a huge pain, but you got to see this ad!!

It just made me think how one can life a carefree (befikar) life, if at the right time, you make all the right decisions.

But well, the definition of the Befikr life might differ from one person to another. If, I had to jot down 5 things from my Bucket List that I would do if I was #BefikarUmarBhar , then they would be:
1. Travel :

Yes, that’s the first thing which comes to my mind when i think of my bucketlist. This can in itself start off a whole list of places I want to explore. And I don’t even mind even doing it alone. I’d love to even do that all by myself. FRom trains to boats, to motorcycles to cycles, I’d love to travel in anything. Just for the love of it. To raom around, to meet new people. Absorb the new experiences. Taste the different cuisines. Capture the beauty through camera. There are so many places to travel and so many things to be done.
If there wouldn’t be an office to attend, this would be that ONE thing I would definitely do without any fikar.
2. Get Caffienated:

Well, I love coffee. Truth is, I’m addicted to it. I want to try out all the different varieties of coffee from across the globe.My goal is to create an encyclopedia of just coffee, its different varieties and also learn to make the perfect coffee too.
I get a high from just thinking about it.

3. Cook it up: Well, I have found Cooking to be such a therapeutic experience. And this comes from a guy who hardly went inside kitchen back home. I had never even heated milk, forget about cooking!!

But after moving to this new place, I have found a certain liking to it. I won’t say I’m really good at it, but I love cooking. And yes, I’m getting good at it.

I want to experiment. Experiment a lot, without any fikar.

4. Build a small house near a hill/close to a calm serene beach:

A small house without the disturbance of the world…

This is something I wold do to live befikar. It would be just amazing to be in living in a place without the disturbance of the world. Simply sit in the open verandah/Balcony and be lost in my reveries. Yep, that’s what I want. No fikar.

5. Write, and Write a lot:

Writing now is influenced by so many things. More than anything it is finding time to write something, just like this post. I don’t want all this. There shouldn’t be any worry to find time. I just want to write a lot. It doesn’t matter if they turn out to be something good or not. But what I would love to do is, write and express whatever my mind thinks without the fear of anyone. To put forth any of my views and be happy about it all, without worrying about what anyone else would think about it.

This post was written in association with Indiblogger for Indi-Happy hours for IDBI Federal