life's a kick

Always polite, always firm, and yet, almost always open to correction, this boss of mine held aloft several principles I stand by. He deserves an ovation for how he dealt with difference of opinion. He is grace personified. Amitabh Akhauri, our Boss, stands in the centre There comes the boss With the loud, roaring voice His height may seem threatening, But he’s full of little joys. He’s got a special way Of clearing through the clutter Decisions, tough or easy, He takes them without a flutter. Strong where he must be Else smiling all throughout He’s humble, reflective, and kind He’s sure, he’s tough, he’s proud. He’s certainly a dear person A Gentleman to the core He infects happiness around him His going does leave us sore… His going does leave us sore…

जाने कैसे घूम फिर कर हर बात, हर रात, तुम्हीं पर आ कर टिक जाती है. तुम्हारे छोटे चड्डे के उधड़ते हुए धागों पर. तुम्हारे बौराए हुए घुंघराले बालों पर. तुम्हारी कविता जैसी आँखों-पलकों पर. तुम्हारे चंचल भाव-भंगिमा पर. तुम्हारे माँ जैसे स्वभाव पर . तुम्हारी कल-कल बहती हंसी पर. तुम्हारी इतराती-बलखाती अदाओं पर. तुम्हारे सुकूनदेह स्पर्श पर. तुम्हारे गालों के भंवर पर. अनुभूति कुछ भी हो, दिनचर्या जैसी भी बीते. अहसास जैसा भी हो, माध्यम जो भी रहे. अभिव्यक्ति कुछ भी हो. निष्कर्ष तुम्हीं तक लाता है. जब हर दिशा, दशा, मंज़र, रस्ता, गली, चौराहा एक ही मंज़िल दर्शाये - तो जान लेना चाहिए के वो भीतर तक घर कर चुका है. कि हम उसके उतने हो चुके हैं कि उसके बिना अपना पूर्ण परिचय देना कठिन पाते हैं. अपना पूर्ण होना भी. पूर्ण जीना भी.

They are everywhere. Slavering with stories and theories on women. They are found among both sexes. Gossiping about women is their chief pastime. Like herds, their thoughts on the subject are all the same. That women envy each other. That women can never be true friends with other women. That women are poor drivers. That women nag. That women are family breakers. That parenting is a woman’s responsibility. That women are born to be homemakers. That career women are social threats. Etcetera.    “You know what, when we men become friends, we barely care about each other’s wealth or assets. We simply chill out. But when women are together, all they notice is the jewelry and clothes of other women.” I’ve heard self-appointed social commentators explain. Let’s ask them – do you remember the cars and official positions of your male friends? Yes, you do. Because you take interest in cars and designations. People remember what interests them. Social conditioning is a si...

I ran my first ever half marathon on November 19, 2017. Had it not been for the inspiration of my colleagues, I wouldn’t have known the joy of it. I thank them deeply for infecting me with the spirit. To put it simply, a long distance running experience so unique and challenging, that it’s worth undertaking. That indicates why thousands of us have taken to running long distances. If this isn’t convincing, let me take you through the lessons. Learned in a hard way. And we know from experience, the harder we learn, the longer it stays. 1.        Humility is gold . We might be the best of our clan and society, but out there, one is a speck in the universe. There are so many people better than us. They could be younger, older, fatter, shorter, taller whatever. Let’s accept it – they are better than us. 2.        Limits are imaginary . Before I donned the Fitbit, I used to run comfortably. I could run hours without tiri...

The image of the three of you. Standing barefoot on Candolim beach; clouds gathering over the horizon. The sky a stormy shade of grey. The breeze in your hair. The ecstasy in your hearts. The silent bonds of love all around and within. The sea swelling and roaring in its full glory. The image of the three of you. Sprawled on one of the beds of B-204. Shoving and pushing and making and giving way. In order to accommodate four adults in a space meant for two. The image of the three of you. Poring over a sheet of paper. Blank as a bare wall. Motifs and messages shaping up in all eyes, waiting to be drawn. Glitters, water colors, paint brushes, round chips of mirrors, ribbon, balloons, bustings reading HAPPY BIRTHDAY – all Itsy Bitsy branded – strewn over the place. Like a riot of colours. And then, the perfect idea strikes. Thoughts start taking shape on paper. In cards that will become most cherished possessions of life. Achingly beautiful patterns. Soulful mess...

मस्त पवन सी चाल चले वो चुटिया पीछे झूली जाए जाने कैसे वो हंसी खेल में छू कर देती गम के साये   काम करे ऑफिस में जब वो मोदी का भी सर झुक जाए रसोई, कपडे, घर, इस्त्री में रोज़ नए इतिहास बनाये   बात रही जहां आवभगत की लोगों को पलकों पर बिठाये खाली पेट आप चल दिए तो पोटली बाँध कर घर पहुंचाए   Friend, philosopher, guide कभी , कभी बकैती की पुल बनाये dance करे मवाली वाली Mimicry से सबका दिल लूट जाए   ओ परी , घुंघराले बालों वाली नानी दादी सी गुणों में समाये चुलबुली, चटपटी, प्यारी, कोमल तुमसे दिल-घर रौशन हो जाए अब तुम बिन हमसे रहा न जाए … अब तुम बिन हमसे रहा न जाए…

This was her third flight in the day; finally taking her home. Toying with the silver ring on her finger, Janhavi, for a change, was too tired to entertain thoughts. There was a time when the mere sight of it lifted her spirits, or doomed them, depending on where she stood on the wave of love. Whether she was riding the crest or drowning in the troughs. That was years ago, when hope still nestled in her heart. That’s when she had cultivated the habit of running her fingertips over the smooth curve of the ring. Strange bittersweet comfort would suffuse her nerves upon feeling that circle of love. Presently, she turned and toyed with the ring absentmindedly. In plain mental ennui. That’s when his voice fell like sledgehammer on her conscience. Suddenly alert like a dog, she sat up with a start. All senses acutely at work. Within seconds she searched the source. Sitting two rows ahead of her, on the right side of the aisle, she saw the head whose every contour she knew. By heart....