Tag: memories

Remembering Dada…

On February 28, 2015

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

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.

CLICK!

By farooq

On September 18, 2012

In Random Philosophy

For each one of us who wish to relive the moments of our past, photographs serve as the perfect tool which sweeps us back into time. They serve as time machines helping us enjoy those precious moments of yesteryears. Right from the time we open our eyes to see the world around us till we are forced to close it, many a times these small clicks from cameras helps in framing those moment into a static objects of amusement which we treasure each time we take a glimpse.

Cameras, that do the work of making those wonderful clicks happen, have also evolved with time. With advancement in technology, the whole scenario of photography has transformed. Gone are the days, when you had to all dress up and visit studios to get clicked or even call a professional at your home to get it done. Now, even a novice with a mobile phone can do the job for you!!! Add to that, the whole range of SLRs and DSLRs that can make those pictures look even more amazing.

Earlier it used to take days, to get your pictures done, the camera rolls would be cleaned up in the studio and you then get your photographs. Even the number of photographs needed to be kept in check as a limited number of clicks was possible from the film roll. And now???!!! It just takes a few seconds. You get to see the result of your clicks as soon as you are over with posing yourself for it. Plus you can have n number of clicks and you have many amazing options to give effects to your photograph. From b/w to color, from film rolls to memory cards, from showing albums to guests to online sharing. God bless technology.

The technology is such, that you can even carry your memories in pockets. Thousands of images can be stored on memory chips that are even smaller than potato chips!!! Just scroll through them and visit the memories of your past all at a go. But, of course you also need to be careful about it too, one button can delete all of the photos too (true story L). But of course, the benefits of technology outweigh the negatives. ( Also, remember the negatives ? :))

Each moment captured in a photograph bears testimony to the time and moment in which it was captured. The essence of life lies in not just living the moment but cherishing the ones that you had spent previously. Ups and downs are part and parcel of the game that we all are playing on this earth, and while we are down, these very moments of joys help us in staying together and making us stronger. So, just smile and Click! 🙂