Tag: blogadda

Be Bold Stay Real

On June 17, 2013

It’s a strange democratic setup that we live in. for the record books, we are the largest democracy of the world. Our constitution promises us several rights. One of the most prominent one is the Freedom of Speech. This freedom implies, that an Indian citizen has the right to air his/her views without any compromise. We have prominent dailies, some 70000+ number of newspapers in almost all regional and national languages, 24×7 news channels airing different views and numerous live examples that will make you believe of our Right to freedom of speech .

Not that it isn’t true; we do have a fairly better understanding and implementation of this system in place, of course. And we do have a variety of views on the political or cultural sphere, where everyone is allowed and they enjoy the freedom of free speech. At least comparatively, we do have a better system than others.

But, (yes, there’s always a But when it comes to the magnitude of a country like India), the natural instinct of the people over here is almost otherwise. Maybe it is ingrained in us through generations of hard work and “ teaching”, where in a family we are asked not to Answer our elders back with argument as it amounts to disrespect, we are told not to disrespect or disagree with our teachers as they know more than us, we are even told never to say NO when a boss asks to do something as that might hamper your chances of a promotion and likewise many instances where our superiors, colleagues, elders, stop us to do things the unconventional way.

The Road taken is always preferred rather than exploring the Road that was not taken.

To this point, where one needs to keep their worldly possessions, relations, would-be prospects, etc is to some extent justified. Justified to suit their excuses, which they give.

The problem starts when one translates these habits, acquired to justify their requirements, into the domain of national, cultural, religious issues. For some, it is completely fine to stay aloof of all the happenings and even with knowledge of it all, staying mum on those issues. This staying mum policy is specifically increasing on conflicting issues. Issues, where hardly there are prevalent voices supporting that cause or there is fear of being stereotyped or branded a rebel. Some do take a stand, but that depends on when he finds the support of likeminded people who are pitching out with their opinions.

On occasions, where even after knowing that there are things which are wrong, things about which one should speak about, things that should not be kept inside the closet of one’s heart but should traverse to your mouth and things that the world needs to listen about rather than an audience of your living room.

Numerous times, I’ve faced situations similar to these and am sure that I’ll continue to face them. For instance, raising my voice on the language–conflict in our college and how that is hampering the communication process raised lots of questions, but the ones’ suffering from the same never did that before me. Some, of course came out in support and some supported without making themselves public.

To my numerous blogs on Narendra Modi, where I never shy away from professing my hate towards him, to my outrage when people don’t stop hating CSK for its’ success, I’ve been vocal about it all.

Why should one toe the majoritarian view always? Some of the folks just take it for granted that only their view holds the supreme truth and anything other than that is plain bullshit.

I’d bullshit that actually.

When, it comes to being bold about your views, one should not look for avenues for support, instead of airing whatever that is in your mind to be heard by the people concerned, why should you just keep your thoughts simmering in the nest of your thoughts?

One other example which put lights into what I said above is, the mention of the Online Like Debate community. These communities of people have their views intact, but won’t comment on your views with that. Rather, would support the only one’s opposing it by liking their replies, but won’t say for the fear of spoiling relations, outlook, etc.

For me, people coming out in the open, airing their views, no matter how conflicting it is to what I hold, holds high regard. Reason being they don’t fear what they have in their mind and are okay with telling it, as well.

It’s time to be Bold and Stay Real, rather than sit back and Wait for the “right” time to say something.

This post was Written for Be Bold Stay Real contest at BlogAdda

Story about ignoring the warning signs…

By farooq

On May 19, 2013

In Fiction & Poetry

The rush to go office on a Monday morning is such, that if there would be a “who-gets-ready-for-office-first” competition, Sameer would definitely get the top honours.

Out of bed by 9, with the alarm at bedside getting snoozed for the nth time, and then a mad rush to complete the morning chores followed, where everything was done at breathtaking speed, yes that does include the natures’ call as well. With eyes barely open, standing next to the basin to put on his paste, most of it finding its way down, he tried hard to get the toothpaste land on the toothbrush. With whatever little that fell there on the bristles, an attack of sorts was made onto the teeth with it. As if, it’s a floor mop!! And there was no thought given to make the floor look clean (teeth here) as well. Brushing the teeth was no less than any formality.

Eyes, still not open, he could see red in between the sea of white splashed down in the basin of what came out of his mouth. It wasn’t the first time, but still it was good enough to make him stop for a second. But seconds are precious for him, especially on Mondays. So, time to let it be like that. All set and it was time for office.

Day after day, the monotonous life of a techie working his way through bugs in Computer programs, replying to emails, meetings, little coffee breaks, laughing without reason on your boss’ joke, and life goes on. Young, fresh out of college working at an MNC, is how one can define Sameer. Being straight out of college, and then being put into this whole new set up of professional life, is still new to Sameer. Although with training and orientation, it’s been close to 6 months. Yet, he tries to compensate his boring new bug-solving life over the weekend. And it being Friday, it was time to say, Thank God It’s Friday!!

With friends popping in from various quarters of the city to take a break from their own lives as well, it was time to Party!! Something or the other was definitely planned for every week. Parties were not just a stress buster but a getaway for the tired minds of the whole week.

This Friday though, something changed. It was almost time for the office to end, having skipped the lunch so as to quickly end the days’ work. Sameer took an apple from a colleague’s desk, paying little heed to the complaining, but then for Sameer, “Who cares?” was his moto. One bite into it, and there was something that ached. His tooth. And the red apple became red inside as well. With blood.

The early morning one second pause everyday was now a deep revering thought till office was over. Of course, the little toothache and the half eaten apple, being the source of constant reminder. He threw away the apple onto the dustbin but the thought of a problem persisting was hard to ignore. So, a party on the weekend was out of question and a dentist’s appointment sounded more like a necessity.

An appointment was arranged. After little thought and examination, the doctor enquired him regarding random day to day habits of eating and brushing. He suggested some simple measures for him by giving him Colgate toothpaste and a soft bristle brush to work it out for a week with it. Told him to be gentle on his teeth rather than attacking it with all his might. It was difficult for him to resist not being harsh with the brush, but with that red-inside-out apple’s image flashing in his mind, going slow became part of the process. After a week, the red and white modern art in the basin every time he brushed got reduced to a great extent, another visit to the dentist awaited.

The dentist just gave a smile to him, and said to relax; things have started to fall back into place. The only thing he needed to do was to follow the same instructions. From a survey, two out of every three Indians suffer from gum problems and are unaware of it. Blood can be the sign of bigger gum problems like gingivitis, receding gums or even tooth loss if left untreated. One should not ignore the warning signs your body gives you! The dentist, explained all of it to him. The reason for the bleeding was the sensitive teeth that Sameer had, and special attention should have been given to it. He also, shared the link of Colgate Speak Blog http://www.myhealthyspeak.co.in/ so that he can go through it regularly and also create awareness so that everyone can take care of the teeth. There could have been a possibility of gingivitis in his teeth also, but this time it was just limited to a sensitive gums. Ignoring the warning signs could have proven way too costly but thanks to the appointment he got with the dentist at the cost of enjoying his weekend saved him. A lesson was learnt finally for ignoring warning signs!!

Now, Sameer is back to his old ways of picking up apples from others’ desk and biting it out. But this time, the apple remains red only from the outside.

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]

Wake me up, when September ends

By farooq

On October 7, 2012

In Random Philosophy

“Wake me up when september ends” blurts out from my phone in the form of my alarm, irrespective of whether i was dreaming of playing with the Green Day or just some random stuff.

Mornings are all about making a fresh start, but the world that we are part of rarely give us a chance to do that. Before going to sleep, we end up calculating the number of hour’s we may get to sleep. Sleep is considered so unproductive by us that if given a choice e may resort to some other activity other than that. Although, when we wake up, the story is so different. The snoozing of the alarm clock makes us think, “if only I would have slept earlier” but all wishes don’t come true. And this alarm won’t even make your dreams get completed, forget about getting them fulfilled.

Wishes, dreams and expectations. One just can’t get rid of all these. They seem to follow us wherever we go, even more than the hutch pug. But the hutch pug actually followed for good reasons, but these three are two-edged swords. Just in order to fulfill them, people go the wrong way. They even start expecting a lot more from all quarters. More often than not, these fail to match the expectations. And it hurts, pretty badly.

This October, I’ll try to get rid of some of them. expectations are something that are going to get stuck each time you try to get rid of it, yet that is something I’m going to ‘not give any importance’ from now on. All those laziness for doing what I wanted to, take decisions that I might be neglecting for a long time, take initiatives, convert opportunities, do things that I am supposed to do and not be my on obstacle in stopping myself from doing that.

I may have waited for September to end, but won’t let October get the better of you. Even though this month is credited for being the month when i was born, yet i won’t have any mercy on it.

October, here I come.

This post is a part of WOW Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda