Author: farooq Page 42 of 45

KAVITA KUMARI- An unfinished poem…

On February 3, 2013

In my series of Posts on some beautiful people I met during my SUPA journey. Here comes the second one. Story of an ambitious girl who aspires to become the “Son of her father”

BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE…..

KAVITA KUMARI- An unfinished poem…

With ambitions of becoming the “Son of her father” and to fulfill her mission of self reliance, Kavita Kumari, has always displayed a smiling face even in the midst of various difficulties. Kavita is the daughter of Shri Ramji giri and is second daughter in a family of five daughters. Coming from Ithkhori in Chattra district, she was never interested in studies. Her interest area used to be in household work and tailoring. She never took her studies seriously, until her sisters showed faith in her determination of doing something for the family. With a prayer to excel always on her lips and with faith bestowed upon her by the family, she was determined to keep up to everyone’s expectation.

Her disability was never an issue for her during her schooling and she used to do almost everything like the normal kids around her. After completing her Intermediate examination, she also worked as a “Care Giver” under Jharkhand Siksha Pariyojna, where she was meant to teach 6 disabled children. In course of time, she even started a Tailoring centre, something that she loved doing herself. While using the tailoring machine, she felt as if using a computer and felt proud in the process too. Also, by doing these little works and supporting her family even though in a very limited way, she felt proud of meeting the expectations of her family. Something that she had always wanted to do was getting reflected in her father’s eyes when she used to talk with her. Her “becoming the son of her father” dream was slowly and steadily gaining shape.

In 2008, she began to be associated with Jharkhand Viklang Manch (JVM) and a lot of her work started post joining JVM. Not only she became more active and concerned regarding other disabled people, but also took measures to help them in every possible way she could. She used to locate different disabled, whether she knew them or not it didn’t mattered, and tell them about the various benefits that are there for them and would even help them to avail those too. She believes that by helping others, all of them will be together as a force and would strive towards success.

Not that her life has always been following the same upward path of success, but there has been downfalls too every now and then. Her eyes get all moist while she recalls one of her life’s incidents. She had decided to only marry someone if she loved a person. And she did loved one. But it was difficult for her to hear rejection just because of her disability. That No coming from a certain special someone made her feel different, different from other girls out there and it was all due to her disability. Even with her heart broken, she vowed to not let that hamper any off her activities. Getting to know about learning at Indo-Danish Tool Room (IDTR), was one of the happiest days of her life as she had always wanted to study outside her hometown.

She believes a person should take time for herself, only then others will help him. Her desire to help herself and others have taken her this far and is bound to achieve even more. Here at IDTR, she tries to teach others about self reliance and learn a lot from others too. She is determined to progress ahead in her life to finish what she has started, the mission be useful to her as well as others too. The journey to finish her Poem on a happy note has just begun.

Beautiful people- “Prakash kumar, the Gabbar singh..”

By farooq

On January 27, 2013

In Others

Something in me had always wanted to be associated with Social work and development, and when an opportunity came my way as part of SUPA (Socially Useful & Productive Activity), a college project; I was excited. Although I would be wrong to not say that spending some time home was also one of the reasons.

Red Cross society was my destination, and with whatever I knew about the work it does, I was pretty excited. But it all came down, when I went there to meet them to formally start the proceedings. The guy over there tells me, “do hajaar lagega aapka yahan karne ke lie apna project” Shocked to reply anything, I just listened onto his blabber on how he described the whole work that I have to do and even told me that I need to bring my own vehicle to go different places. And even looked me in disgust when I told him that I don’t have one. I just asked him, “Sir, ye sab to voluntary work hai, isme paise kyun?” and pat came the reply, “ye sab to aap apne swaarth ke lie kar rahe hain, voluntary kaise hua……” and then he again started with describing how “his work” for Red cross is voluntary and how mine is for my “swaarth”. I walked out after that, saying my obligatory dhanyawaad.

After 3 days of scanning most of Jamshedpur, I finally found my match and hence my SUPA began with Jharkhand Viklang Morcha(JVM) and which went quite great. Along the way, I met some very amazing people and just thought about giving some time to let the world know about them. I interviewed many people during the course, people with disabilities but the strong determination. Instead of me, teaching something to them, they taught a lot to me.

From this post onward, I’d be telling some of the stories that I could cover. Hope you enjoy reading.

Starting with Mr. Prakash kumar, the Gabbar singh…

Courage and determination can best describe this man named, Prakash Kumar, Son of Shri Manti Mahto, a farmer who lives in Dadi village which is around 5km away from block Simaria. Being a disabled makes you very helpless and if your own family does not support you then that helplessness grows. But for Prakash, even these problems couldn’t stop him from doing what he wanted, i.e, Studies. After realizing that only he can support himself when it comes to studies, post-2004, he even started working at a jewellery shop. But even with that he had to leave his studies for 2 years.

It was not that he never received any support from anyone. His friends were always supportive of him, no matter what. Difficulties arising out of transportation for attending classes were taken care of by his friends and even for purpose of studies, they were always there for him. Although same cannot be said about his family. One particular incident he describes sadly of is of a day just a day before filling his forms in a particular class. There was some construction work going on in his house and in order to bring in raw materials, money was kept. When Prakash asked for money, to be given for form, his father and brother refused. Although, he promised to pay them back out of his own money in a day or two, still they refused to part ways with the money. Such was his family’s attitude towards his studies that if he wouldn’t have pressed himself hard, he would just be sitting idle in his home.

But it is his sheer determination to prove everyone who thinks of him as someone who cannot do anything, is taking him forward. He has been the happiest when he gets good results in the exams that he appears, even with a lot of difficulty. It instills him with a sense of achievement when it comes to getting good results. His struggles has not only benefitted him, but also gave him the confidence to help out others in need too. he is not only a leader among the disables but also helps people get information regarding the various polices and schemes put forward by the government for them.

He has not only helped many get benefits out of government schemes like pensions, Indira aawas yojna, getting tricycles, etc but also strengthened Jharkhand Viklang Manch by working towards its goals of maintaining unity among the various disables. Even at Indo-Danish Tool Room (IDTR), he tries to be a leader of all the students and helps them accordingly too. Fondly called as the “Gabbar Singh” by his fellow students, this lad wants to sail high and is leaving no stone unturn.

The last day

By farooq

On January 17, 2013

In Random Philosophy

If you thought I was writing about the Mayan’s and their predictions about the Doomsday, then let me tell you, you were wrong. It is actually the last day before this much-needed-holiday (1 Month!) ends.

This vacation just proved just how much I was missing family, friends, and FOOD!!!
Being away from home isn’t new for me, but being away from family definitely is. I remember doing this one thing, especially when I used to be upset, i.e., to eat good food. Good food in, bad mood out.

But, Alas!! Bangalore doesn’t seem to provide such an option for a pocket like mine.

Bangalore doesn’t seem to provide such an option for a pocket like mine. Leaving aside my foodgasm, let me get to the point, this introduction part is getting too long. I’ll describe the last day, which in many ways sums up the whole vacation.

Letting my Body clock wake me up

Waking up on my own watch is an amazing feeling. Don’t you think ? Sleep to your heart’s content is like letting your morning start off with a victory.

Same Breakfast, Different place

Having masala upma for breakfast which is far better than what I get in my South Indian college mess. Such Irony, I tell you.

Morning of Appreciation

Good morning’d by a mail from Blogadda confirming that I have been shortlisted for the “Notable Newbie” blogger along with many other bloggers. Feels good to be appreciated and then boasting about it here. This was like an icing on the cake after all sorts of appreciation for my work during SUPA.

Foood. Good Food.

Fish curry in the lunch, deliciously made. If at all, I need to single out the percentage of non-veg food I’ve had during this whole month, the ghaans phoons would surely be in single digit scores. Sorry, can’t help it, just born this way. Although, Xime and Bangalore have tried changing it, but only to increase my love for it. Wo kehte hain na, Dooriyon se badhti hain Nazdeekiyan. (Distances bring you closer).

Friend drops by on Time

My friend arriving before time to pick me up!! Well, that had never happened before nor will happen again. So, after a brief wait, when he arrived rode to meet many of my high school buddies. Many were surprised to see me(pleasantly, I hope), some even hitting me as to why I cannot just extend my leaves for a few more days. In between lots of catching up, trying to click photos without flash in almost dark places, “career” discussions, exams, talks about old flames, whose-upto-what, and lots!! All this gupshups can never finish and so rightly so it didn’t. Yet had to get off post bidding people good byes.

And more friends to meet

After high-school, it was the turn of the guys from college. Not many there, so the two closest ones got the whole time that I could spare. They even stopped me for a pre-dinner “Dinner”. Well, this is that dinner, where you don’t fully stuff yourself but keep a little space for home food and if something of your liking is there at home, than you just go ahead with that as well. Else, your stomach signals a Red light. With promises to be present early morning at the station to bid adieu, they dropped me back at home.

Who says NO to Biriyani?

Home, well a whole lot of packing was to be done. Came in and did that as fast as I could and also to buy some time if at all they force me to eat the Dinner. While finishing, what I smelt was Biryani. Who says NO to that ? now the thing with food and me is, we have an agreement of not ever refusing good food. And so, I jumped into stuffing myself up that as well.

And It’s a Wrap!

A job well done and a day spent that way too. and if you are wondering about my talk of only food all throughout the post, well I should tell you, that is what I was actually upto. Apart from SUPA, almost every activity I did involved food.
But every good thing comes to an end, and along with the news of our “new” Dean, who happens to be “the” strict one.

Yet, with the goodness that I was part of in all these days will, In sha Allah , be reflected, onto my life.

Matru ki Bijli ka Mandola- My take

By farooq

On January 13, 2013

In Movies & Entertainment

Going with a lot of expectations might just ruin your “long time” in the theatre if you are going there to watch “Matru ki Bijli ka Mandola”. And yes, let me clear this out first, if you are going in with watching three bollywood actors in action on the big screen, i.e, Pankaj kapoor , Anushka Sharma and Imran khan, well you are in for another disappointment because there are just going to like just two.

One, of course being THE Pankaj kapoor and the other, well neither Imran (which is expected) and nor Anushka ( yep, another disappointment), it would be” Gulabo”. If you don’t know who is Gulabi, let me spoil the suspense, its just a Bhains and that too a pink one. 🙂

The movie’s plot is “aimed” at being a satire, but in course of getting it right and also trying to give a Vishal Bharadwaji touch, of showing both the good and the bad side of a character, it ends up becoming just a meaningless long journey.

The story is about, Mandola, a village named on the family of Mandola and Pankaj kapoor plays the heir of the family. named Mandola, who suffers from “split personality issues” after drinking. And yes, the liquor that the village drinks is also named “Gulabo”. When, sane (i.e without drinking), speaks in english and is bent on making his Car plant project see getting approved, while when drunk, he ends up becoming a Haryanvi bursting bhen*** every sentence. And his partner in crime is, Imran khan’s character Matru, who happens to be fighting for the rights of the farmers, whose land is going to be taken away by the government for the car project, by disguising as an accomplice. And yes, the title does speak about “bijli” (one prime reason, I went to watch the movie in the first place), played by Anushka, who is the daughter of Mandola. A girl, who just wants people’s attention, is ready to marry a politician’s idiotic son even knowing all that, someday or the other goes in just her kachaa baniyan to bathe in the local pond while the villagers cheer.

The story shows, rather tries to show the struggle villagers have when vested interests try to take away their land, politicians and corruption, reasons for the rise of Naxalism, etc but yes fails on many counts. If delivering haryanvised accented dialogues with almost the same emotion is what Imran khan was roped in, then he did a pretty good job. Anushka, well acting wasn’t an issue, but some of the key scenes that she had, were with Imran where there was an evident lack of chemistry. But yes, the most paisa vasool thing of the movie was Pankaj kapoor. His range as an actor in just this one role is so amazing, that watching him shift effortlessly from one to the other is just speechless. The way, in which he delivers the dialogues, those little drunk dance and antics that he does, comic scenes or the ones with drama, he just changes gear at the click of a second.

Won’t say the movie is a total disaapointmnet, but the entertainment quotient is very limited and it all lies on the shoulders of Pankaj kapoor. Along with that, Shabana azmi plays a very greedy and cunning politician’s role who is ready to marry her son to Bijli just for the sake of more Power. Her flirtatious role with Mandola, is enjoying and would have been better if Vishal could have put a little more effort of extension in this direction rather than filling it with other things to make it this long.

Well, if my review sounded too long for you to keep your patience intact, you might just be disappointed. if you want to watch a gem of a character played by Mandolas, then go have a one-time watch. Otherwise, it’s up to you.

My rating- 1.5/5 stars.

What it means to be a Farhan Akhtar Fan

By farooq

On January 9, 2013

In Movies & Entertainment

The music of a new movie based on rock band was released, the songs were really catchy.

It was the first time that I had got addicted to not one but an entire album.

I was in High school, and I still remember those jamming sessions in the last bench with classmates, where it didn’t mattered how bad one sang. Even I was a singer. Of sorts.
No, really.

One needed to know the lyrics. And I did.

Singing songs of this movie, in classes, in corridors, in playgrounds, on bike rides. To tell you the truth, it was actually and actually shouting. Shouting our lungs out.

If I’d say that the songs were the only reasons for me to get addicted to them, I’d be giving too much credit to Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy. No disrespect. Love their composition.

Another reason was the entry of this new guy, well, not “new” per se. But yes, new in the avatar of an actor and singer.
Had liked him for his directorial skills in the coming-of-age movie Dil Chahta Hai and then Lakshya, even seen him quite a number of times in chat shows showcasing his good sense of humor.

But you know, back then he was just a director, son of a famous lyricist and story-writer.

What changed things was, Rock ON!! Those long locks gave way to curls of a rockstar and yes, an onscreen rockstar singing in his very own husky voice. Yes, that was Farhan Akhtar and that was the time he added another fan among many. I head-banged my way to the list. I became one of the many die-hard fans of him with Rock on.

If Rock On marked his debut, along with a relatively new cast and director in Abhishek kapoor, his next venture Luck By Chance marked the debut of his sister Zoya Akhtar in the director’s hat.

Although, the film didn’t do that well at the box office, yet I’d rate it as Farhan’s best performance till date. Each scene of this movie is so etched into my mind, that as soon as the name of the movie pops up, the whole movie, scene by scene slowly plays down before my eyes.
Special mention to this particular scene.
Dimple Kapadia, who is the lead heroine’s mother and a yester-year actress (in the movie) . Farhan, playing a struggling actor, ends up in the success party of a movie. Walks down to Dimple and chats up. He tells her, how he is there in this world because of dimple.
Shockingly, she replies, “What??!!”

And then he explains, that how both his parents ended up together because of both being her fans. As cheesy as the line may sound, it is portrayed pretty well.
And this is not the only scene, there are numerous others too, in this particular movie itself. I advise you, to watch it a.s.a.p if you haven’t done already.

His next acting installment came with Karthik calling Karthik, where he was paired with Deepika padukone. The film was a psychological thriller and dealt with concept of split personality. Although, the film didn’t do that well in the box office, his chemistry with Deepika was much appreciated and so were the songs in the movie. What I thought of it was, the first half was really great, but in terms of describing the plot in the end, they couldn’t do much justice. Still, a brave attempt.

Zoya Akhtar’s next, starring Farhan-Hrithik-Abhay in Zindagi Milegi Na Dobara, was a breath of fresh air.
Who can forget Imran, which was so easily by Farhan and his poetries? Even the “bagwati” is something that everyone remembers. So much so that, there is a twitter handle dedicated to it too.

Of course, he was not just limited to, his new avatar of acting in one movie. He remade Don, starring Shahrukh Khan, and added his own touch to the cult classic. He even went on to do a sequel to it, which turned out to be another hit for his Excel entertainment. He owns the Excel entertainment, along with his childhood friend Ritesh Sidhwani. All the movies that he has acted in have also been produced by the same. Talash being the last movie to come out from the Excel’s stable. He even came out with a celebrity chat show, “Oye! It’s Friday!!” on NDTV-imagine, which had his trademark style and was really entertaining. How, I wish, he could again come back with that show.

Farhan started his filmography by assisting in movies like “Himalayputra” and “Lamhe”, and he only got his director-writer debut with Dil Chahta hai. If, there is one person in bollywood who is truly versatile then that has to be Farhan. From assisting directors to being a director and writer to being an actor, singer and producer to writing dialogues and lyrics, he has done them all. A jack of all trades, who excels in everything he does.

Now, eyes are set on Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, an official autobiography of the legend Milkha singh. The teaser has just blown away the audience. The well chiseled out body has surely taking breaths away, and the whole look of farhan have become the talk of the town. And the movie is months away from release. Wishing all the best to Farhan akhtar, for his next movie and the future which promises to look great with every little thing he does. One of the rare celebs, who does not fear voicing his opinions on any social issues and his tweets bear a healthy testimony to it.

[Read the review of the amazing Bhaag Milkha Bhaag here]

Right now, he is relaxing at home after getting a haircut from his hairstylist wife Adhuna and celebrating his birthday with his two lovely daughters.

Here’s wishing him a very happy birthday on his 39^th birthday. Farhanaitte for life. 🙂

[wysija_form id=”3″]

[Post Edits: Farhan’s Bhaag Milkha Bhaag became a superhit, and is Wazir is on his way to become another hit]

Story of India- Apples and Oranges

By farooq

On January 5, 2013

In Politics & Social Issues

Blazing the chilling winds, on three wheels, our auto-rickshaw was passing along one of the busy streets of Jamshedpur. The auto, which was already full with around 6 passengers along with the driver, stopped midway noticing a girl who was looking for an auto. The girl first looked in, and then with a little hesitation said, NO!!!

I happened to sit just beside the auto-driver. He said, “Sharm aati hai yaar.. From the last week or so, if even 2-3 guys are there in my auto, no women seems to be getting in”.

One other day, while travelling in an empty auto-rickshaw, well almost, with just the driver and his conductor-friend (yes, they have conductors too here). With nothing much to do, I had to listen to their convo.

Driver- You know what, it’s the mistake of women as due to that they get to suffer in the hands of these horny-bastards.

Conductor- kaahe be ??

(even I wanted to ask!!!!)

Driver- You see, if I am running after a girl or even teasing him, which I’m not. But hypothetically, if I do.

Conductor- abbey bol na..kaahe ghuma raha hai..

Driver- If, I am doing any of these things like eve-teasing or even making remarks on her, and the girl turns up and gives me a tight slap, neither me nor anyone who sees that would ever think of doing that. It’s just because girls ignore small things that other guys do, they take it so lightly. As if it’s just okay and they can get away with it.

Conductor- haan be. Sahi bola.. du go lagao, sasura line pe ajaega..

Driver- Uhi to hum bhi bol raahe hain be.. ee jo laundiya log chod deti hai na.. ki log kaa bolega, usise poroblm hota hai…

Neither did I interfered in their conversation, nor did I am making any stand on this issue of what they said.

Because, I am clueless and it’s difficult to conclude as to what is right and what is wrong. More than being clueless, I’m shocked and guilty.

It was not the fault of just some people that girls like damini are raped, it is the society that I am part of is responsible too. The guilt is for numerous little reasons, but even though no matter how little they are does contribute a lot to the attitude of the society that we live in.

They are now talking about, Honey Singh’s songs, female clothing, Bharat vs. India, Denting-Painting, etc. Well, do you think if a rape has to happen, those sick bastards will see what kind of clothes the girl is wearing?? Or that only in the “Urban India” that rapes occur and the “Rural Bharat” is just away from it’s dark shadows?? Or that Honey singh’s songs are so powerful enough to change people’s attitude? If it is so, then tell him to write anti-corruption songs. The thing is whatever happens in the society is just a reflection of what we are. He is actually mirroring that mindset.

The male dominated and superiority complexed people that dominate our society are the reason for this attitude, which has been there for ages and has only manifolded itself. The only change that our society has witnessed is that the females have tried to fit into this society with the hope of getting rid of this mindset and matching shoulder-to-shoulder.

But, sadly, they don’t realize that the insecure male does not want that to happen. Sharing the dais of superiority is another thing, they don’t even want them to come closer to it, just let them be the audience. Forget about protecting them and taking them to a pedestal so that they can walk along, they just don’t consider them even worthy for competition. Sometime, they just term this competition as something like apples and oranges. Sometimes, reason their success to the sympathetic attitude with which superiors end up treating them. Sometimes, this and sometimes that, but they just won’t accept that it’s not about apples and oranges.

The whole problem revolves around that societal attitude of seeing them as apples and oranges. And until and unless that changes, nothing substantial can happen. No matter how “terrible, sad, devastated” we feel after every incident of a female’s modesty getting tarnished, unless this mindset gives way to a more broad mindedness in terms of accepting that women are not inferior than us, nothing can be changed.

Mid-way through my SUPA (Socially useful and productive work), I interviewed some disabled students undergoing training at Indo-Danish Training Tool here at Jamshedpur. I started off with some guys after getting permission from one of their teachers, but when it came to the girls, I had to ask one person after another and finally after some 2 hours of bureaucratic shifts, I got the green signal.

Later came to know, that after various incidents all across India, security of girls has been their prime focus and they have become “extra conscious”. While talking to these ladies, who happen to be disabled, I was amazed. Amazed as to how, even with all the added struggles apart from them being physically handicapped, they have continued to learn and prosper in whatever they are doing. Neither, financial difficulties or societal inputs on their disability, stopped them from achieving what they strived for. These are women with disability and yet looking at their determination, it added a little light on my dying optimism.

If this added fuel to my fire of optimism, the regular talks at every small adda’s I’ve been part of. Guys, who were seen passing remarks on girls at every possible moment, talk about how they were wrong in doing that. Their guilt does get reflected, and so does their anger. A talk on figure of a girl has given way for what needs to be done by the government.

If this is change, I’m glad to be a part of it.

Let us connect..

By farooq

On December 31, 2012

In Others

It’s been very hectic, so much so that I have not even been updating my fb status regarding all the “happening” things that I’m currently doing. And if you have known me for the last 4-5 years and are in some way or the other connected with me over there, would definitely understand, it’s a pretty rare sight.

I believe that there are only two instances when a social network addict (as some say to me) doesn’t make his presence on the walls or timelines; it’s the extreme ends of his mood. Either he is too happy and involved with something that he is not finding time to write on these virtual walls or he is saddened by some event, that there is no inclination to do anything, forget “denting/painting” any walls. Oops!! Denting-painting, wrong choice of words and my father is not even the president!!!

Anyway, I wanted to say something before I started writing this post. But, don’t know I simply forgot what I intended to. So, by the time I recollect what I actually wanted to tell. I’ll just blabber something random.

Random. Well, randomness se yaad aaya, It’s about to end. No, not the world.( which was the longest running rumor of all time). Just this 2012 is about to give way to 2013 in a few days of time. Time flew fast, as always.

On the personal front, from being an eid ka chand in college during the start of 2012 to be compulsorily made to attend 70-minute lectures daily. From waiting for salary to asking parents to sending money, from watching almost every new release in theatres to choosing which all to watch in a month, from being somebody to nobody, from this to that a lot changed. Even I changed, a lot.

Anyway, I finally remembered what I wanted to say or rather talk about. It was about connectivity.

Well, when it comes to me, I always try to maintain a connection with everyoneI may have come across at any point of time. Of course, I am not at all successful in doing that very efficiently but I do try. Coming of age, social networking has been one of the most prominent tools in order to achieve that. Although call rates have reduced drastically, yet making calls to everyone has not been a regular thing.

When one updates a status or posts a tweet, it is like letting the people know all at once about what you are up to. Twitter asks “what’s happening “, Facebook asks, “what’s on your mind?” , before you update your status. While answering that, you are letting yourself get connected with the others. Letting them all know what you are up to, all at once. Yes, many have reservations regarding the necessity of using technology like this. The “privacy” issue is always there. But what is that one thing which does not have its own set of merits and demerits??

A like, a comment, a retweet, a favorite or even a simple “ 🙂 “ anytime helps maintain this connection. Day-to-day lives involve us to remain confined in a single place or with a set group of people, but with a scroll down the wall lets us know as to what is happening with our old circle of friends and be in sync with the things happening in their lives.

So, just a little time out to check them out, in order to maintain the Connect, isn’t that bad right?? Eh??

6 long months…

By farooq

On December 18, 2012

In Others

7.00AM!! An early start to the day (by my established standards), I woke up to find the bathroom already occupied. Looked around to find one of other guy in the room was still sleeping. Sat there on my bed itself, waiting for my turn, deep into thoughts about what all was going to come from today onwards. With this initiation of thoughts, the “early-morning-formalities” continued followed by namaz and then the day started and a new journey.

Well, that was exactly 6 months back. 18^th june.

Wish I could use, “time flies fast” here. But, I just cannot. It seems pretty long ago. 6 months in itself is long. 220 days!! 5280 hours!!! 316800 minutes!! 19008000 seconds!!! It’s effing that long.

From running a 10k marathon to playing a amazing-race kinda game to late night coffees to food hunting post-midnight. All of this could happen because of me being here and yes, I loved them all.

And today, after two trimesters!! 13 papers!! Numerous lectures and interactions, Events, fests and competitions, if I had to just ask one question to myself, as to what I have learnt. The biggest of them has been to understand myself. Myself, the complicated one. My flaws, misjudgments, strengths and weaknesses. Also, understood that this was just an initiation of my realization process, there’s still more to find out.

During this long stay over here (yes, I’ll stress on that long, for a long-long time), there were many events that made me learn (sadly, books are not part of it).The people of this college being the ones from whom the actual learning process happened. There were learning from what they said, and what they didn’t. Learning from what they thought about me and how that in turn influenced changing my perceptions towards them, learning from adjusting with them by seeing how they do the same. There was learning as to how people even change with course of time, how just for the sake of girls they change. How there are people who selflessly help you, how some are selfish too. How getting low marks, change their attitude, how some get a joke, some don’t. How things change from one culture to another, from one language to another. How bad food can be made, how money doesn’t last post the first week after you take it out from your account, how to manage without water before going to class, how breakfast just goes out of your schedule, how different festivals bring about a sense of happiness and bonhomie, and many such how’s and their answers.

Even how some insensitive people even post “blogs” regarding cultural differences out there on public platforms!! Seriously, how idiotic ? 🙂

Waise blog se yaad aaya, been blogging quite a lot. So much so, that people keep telling. “Dude!! Stop writing”,” yaar, ye kyun nahi likhta blog me”, “ab ise bhi mat likh dena”, “firse ?” and some also had nice encouraging words too.

I know, I am not one of the best in terms of writing out here, yet the one saying, I’ve always followed “the only way to improve your writing is, to write more”.

Learning, yes. Learning again.

There are many changes that I can notice in myself. Per se, there’s this new found optimism. Optimism, that everything happens for good. What has happened is for the good and what is going to take place in future will also be good (in sha ALLAH). Understanding, things I didn’t use to before and many such things in my long-list of learning from these 6 months, 6 Long months actually.

With practice, I have become quite a good dhobi too and can wash two full buckets of clothes in one go. Although, there’s too much to learn In terms of how to make them look clean too.

Academically, well don’t have anything to brag about. But yes, have learnt to put in hard work and devote time to studies.

Right now, I’m just 1/3^rd of an MBA. A whole lot of things to look forward to, new experiences, new friends and new beginnings. Forgetting things, which doesn’t matter and keeping focus on the ones which does. Ending the ends, and starting new trends.

Its happiness all around XIME, every face looks just so happy. Bidding goodbyes and New Year wishes is to be seen everywhere. Even I’ve finished packing my bags and not to mention just how happy I am. 🙂

Happy holidays. 🙂

The last tree standing……

By farooq

On December 8, 2012

In Fiction & Poetry

Just woke up, only to realise that I am in a completely different place, and yet looks strikingly similar to the one I live in.

Or is it the same place ? Confused *scratches head*

I tried recalling, what exactly happened. Just when I was stressing hard (while scratching my head, of course), I felt a little pain towards the lower part of my body. Holy Shit!! Bruises, cuts and everything, right there ?!!!

and then it all came flashing by at once.

There was an Axe lying around, probably the same one which is the reason of the bruises that I got.

And It wasn’t just me.

Many others too were subjected to this cruel act by the mankind (God knows better, why it’s man”kind” ). Others, who are not here to tell you the story of how I became alone, how, they all had to sacrifice themselves for the needs of one superior species.

Long back, there used to be many big families living together, of what it used to be called a “forest”, something about which generations would read in history books. Or wait, they won’t even have books to read in future as well. Digital world, I believe ?

Continuing my story of our lovely home, which was filled with many of my relatives and friends for generations, I just cannot describe in mere words as to how beautiful life was back then. After being born from one of the seedlings, as I grew up, life was all about living with the greenery all around me.

The chirps of those lovely birds and their songs, morning used to be so much heavenly. Not to forget the frequent rains which I used to love so much. I was told that we are the ones, who help in making rains happen (Proud Moment)! I was so happy to help in making something so beautiful like rains, happen.

Over the years, I heard that the gas we inhale is the one that human beings exhale, i.e. carbon dioxide and the gas we exhale, i.e., Oxygen, the humans inhale. An exchange offer!! So, we, the plants were the reasons which help the humans to breathe!!!

Around that time, there were strange news coming in from the outskirts of the forests, that the human population has been increasing day by day and as a result, they were clearing some of the areas of the forests. It was very strange for my young mind to understand as to why would they do that???!!!! Not only we , the trees, were the providers of oxygen (which helps them breathe), we also made the rains possible.

Water helps quench thirsts and makes the planet earth continue to be a living planet.

But who knew, that their thirst was not getting satisfied with water alone. They simply forgot the fruits, flowers and even medicines which we gave them.

Either, humans lost their mind or they have found an alternate to satisfy their needs and they no longer need us. The latter was not possible, so I believe they completely lost it. And yes, I was right.

With time, the human greed grew way too much. And it was just a matter of time that they would get rid of the entire green stretch.

And last morning, it finally happened.

So, that makes me the last one to be standing out here, just waiting for my turn to suffer the same fate which others like me did.

The bruises hurt a little. But what hurts more is the idiotic nature of humans, who has become selfish enough to have forgotten our contribution to his stay in this planet.

He is not just destroying us, but is digging his own grave.

[Deforestation is a serious issue that we no longer worry about, but need to. We have carelessly went on to cut a lot of our green stretch for our needs, which needs to stop. Yes, we do need to meet our requirements, but there is always a way. A sustainable way]

Love and Love stories…

By farooq

On December 4, 2012

In Random Philosophy

“Love and Love stories”

What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear them??

Okay, I get it. And that is exactly not the thing I am going to talk about.

If I had to sum it up in just one-word, I’d say Exaggerated.

It’s nothing but fictitiously-over-dramatic and surrounded by a never-existing-artificial-aura created by movies, literature and some over-the-years stories by people for whom the word logic is like some alien entity and the world of fantasy is actually reality. And of course, we loved our tradition so much, that this idioticity has continued ever since, with its series of “updates” and “added feature versions”. (Even more than what, Mozilla or IE can come up with).

I am not saying that this whole thing does not exist or its too idiotic for it to actually take place or is in total contrast with (although, some voice in my head, even says so ), but just the whole concept of Love and love stories are so exaggerated to the extreme.

Thing is, we all are so selfish in our needs that we always look forward to have people around us who will lend us their support, physically and emotionally (sometimes, one leads to another and vice-versa). In order to attain this “need-based-relation”, we look out for people who may fit this criteria or a series of criteria’s depending on our league. Criteria’s vary, no doubt. Some may be stated as…

1. Packaging-

“Love at first sight”,

I’m sure you must have heard about this one for sure. Many products don’t get sold, just because their packaging does not meet the expectation of the consumer.

2. Content-

“Content is the king”,

They say it for the critically acclaimed movies that get success at the box office (like getting the best of both worlds) and reason it out that star-power alone won’t make a movie successful. Well, the 100-crore movie club makes me doubt that.

3. Durability-

“jo tikta hai, wo bikta hai”,

Well some don’t take decisions in haste. Playing the wait-game is what they like. Patience is the key for many of the “transactions” taking place in this world.

4. And numerous blah-blah things, which I better, not start mentioning.

I know, I am commodifying the whole concept of “Love”, but then this is what, examples in and around made me believe.

I am not alone, in what many of the “love-struck reader’s” won’t be liking to hear, of commodifying the idea of love, the idea of actually loving someone apart from your family “unconditionally”. To give my commodified thoughts some strengths, the whole celebration of various “love”days (esp., February), is I believe in reality is doing exactly that and which is nothing but a propaganda by these gift and card-making multi-national chains.

Love it, hate it. Do what you want. But, for God’s sake, Don’t exaggerate it.