Long awaited!!

This has been in the writing since 2007......n even now when Im posting it.....am still wondering if I really should...But I also dont c a reason y I shudnt:)

TSA trips!!

TSA stands for Technologists for Social Action!! Our office used to visit Missionaries of Charity(MoC) and IGIA on the 2nd Saturday of every month. Today, we visit only MoC....

MoC

MoC is a place for the destitutes...both young n old.....what you see here is the Fag end of Life……You see people who do not fear death and also people who are not afraid to live…..

You meet old people deserted by the ones they love....thrown out of their homes by their children for money.....or just coz they were growing to be burdens to their children....

There is another Ashram in Uttarahalli....Rags took me there once....Same scenes there also....But the Ashram has mentally challenged children n trust me ...it is very difficult to come back from that place without shedding a tear...n anger building up inside u....that keeps u wondering y children do this to parents!!!

What do these ppal expect?....a warm hug or a kind smile or a namaskara or a hege idhira(How r u in Kannada) or a Eppadi irukinge in Tamil….and u can actually see the difference…..It lightens up their day……..

MoC impact.....

I know my father struggled to get to where he is today…….My grandfather passed away when my father was very young…….My grandmother struggled a lot to make ends meet and has kept herself hungry to ensure her children had enough food………My father being one of the younger members of the family had the luxury to complete his studies, something his elder brothers could not do as they had to leave their hometowns, when they were barely 11 to earn. My father started small, had to cut on his expenses, has never had the kind of luxury that I have had in my student days, but he was always sure of one thing, his children would not go through the difficulties he had seen in his life.....

Yes…..yes…My father has done a lot of personal sacrifices and has put up through most of my nonsensical demands when I was much younger…..One such incident….was when my cab driver had to take a different route and I happened to pass by the Barber shop and old memories came flooding back……

I was 12 years old then…. I used to believe that only if a Barber cuts my hair, my hair would grow back faster and thicker…..

So I pester my father one day… to take me to a Barber Shop, not anywhere near my place…as I was not comfortable with the idea of having known friends see me in one.

So, dressed in a frock to look younger as I was pretty tall for my age, also with a lot of people asking me if I was in Middle School when I was in Primary and if I was in High School when I was in Middle School and so on, frock seemed to be the optimum choice. Getting back to my incident…yeah….I managed to comfortably drag my father to the farthest one, that was located 5kms away…..and get the job done….whether the hair grew back fast or stronger …I really don’t remember……but why my father did that, I know now.....

My father, sister n me used to always love going shopping to Comm Street.....there was this 1 time...when I saw a white stuffed toy...k..k...a monkey....but a damn cute one....in one of d shops....n I loved it so much...that all I had to do was to look at it...n then at my father....n I knew I wud get it....But my sister was against me buying it...as it was around 500 bucks...n thought I was too old to be playing with such stuff......But my father told her....that ...she wants it...let her have it....

Our fridge at home...used to always be loaded with chocos...now u know y I hate them:).....coz all my sister n me had to do ...was to take my father to a shop....give a quick glance at the chocolate n then at my father...n v used to get the chocos.....n thats when the fights began :)...coz the chocos were always equally divided between my sister n me.....I used to save mine...till v got the next set...n my sister used to finish hers in no time at all..n eye mine:)

When I get really busy with work, to create a mark for myself, to get that satisfaction that yes, I have done it, there are times when I forget, I have a family. When I don’t even have 5 mins to call them, but all the time in the world to cut their calls. There was this time, when I was working to finish a document and all of a sudden, my extension phone rings. Im still wondering who is calling me, as my colleagues had left to grab some food, when I hear my father’s voice on the other end, asking me if I have taken food and if Im alright...

My manager once told me this that in the race to the top or at your deathbed, the only people who will stand by you is your family……

I love my parents beyond the faintest doubt in the world. But yes, there are times when I take this for granted…. …..But after TSA, I got the feeling that …God…..My family does sooo much for me……What do I give them in return?.....Scold Amma…….if the curry is not to my taste…..Not her problem…U c…..If my father likes the curry….I don’t…….So…..what can poor Amma do?

Sometimes I wonder why is it that she works the way she does……And yes she does it 24x7 365 days in a year…..

IGIA:

When I was small....I used to love playing 2 games.....one was the house game...where in I used to create an imaginary house....I remember having a small set that had cooty cooty vessels n all......the 2nd one was the teacher game.....I even had an attendance register...with names that I liked.....ya ....It had loadsa of Urvashi, Rambha, Menaka..:).....Had a very strong mythological upbringing...heeheehee

IGIA is one school that v share a very special bond with...It was almost like a dream come true...when v got to teach there.....

My office used to visit this school on the 2nd saturday of every month....during one such visit...V met Manjunath who had been teaching in the school for the past couple of years....v called for a meeting of volunteers n d 1st thing he told us was that ...I see a lot of energy in this room..but it wont last....Im sure v wont have a second meeting.....Thats when Pravs n me were determined to prove him wrong....n we did that for d next 3 years...

Our 1st class in IGIA was with Manju showing us how to teach.....Pravs n me were all overwhelmed by the fact that oMG...v r getting to teach....n all...when sudd-suddenly...Manju threw a chalk piece at 1 student and warned him to listen...He was extremely strict with the children......n wud punish them if they played the fool.....n all....

After class, when we asked Manju why he was so stern with them...his reply was "U will learn"....n v did....coz if u r all chatty n paly with the kids there...they take advantage of u...n dont study...so u did have to act a little strict if u had to get them to open their books....

We started spending our weekends there.....that year Pravs n me knew no rest on weekends....we had a team of other volunteers ..Anusha, Krishna, Shilpa, Soumya,Shwetha, Ranjeetha...sooo many of them.....that it was also huge fun going there...

V used to have a blast teaching them Maths, Science n Social Science......U had to start with the basics...they wudnt know if a minus into a minus was a plus....or if plus plus minus was a minus....

I have always lived through dates n events in History:)...n so to this day, my most treasured class was the one where I got to teach them "World War I & II"...

Favs

All the teachers had their favourite students as well..mine was Selva....not coz he always topped...coz he used to always care a lot for his teachers.....he used to drop me off to the bus stand if I was alone.....used to get me to play throw ball in the breaks.....He was also extremely hardworking and attentive in class....

Im not 2 sure...but I think Pravs fav student was Kajan...he was Mr.Smart.....knew how to tackle things from a very practical point of view.....but hated theory.....v had to beg him to study the languages...coz Sir...was only interested in action....n Maths was his fav...

Ranjeetha's fav student was Krishna....a very interesting character....this guy was the unofficial electrician there....he was 1 student who had transformed from a not at all interested student to some1 who showed so much of interest that it shocked us.....

All said n done.....abt my partial teachers.....IGIA had a miracle that year....Only 1 out of 11 students failed their Board exams....n this was in contrast to 1 or 2 passing out of 10 in the past....

I still remember Shilpa calling us n telling us the results.....Pravs n me were shopping n both of us were almost jumping away to glory scaring our fellow n felli shoppers....

N so continued our journey into the next 2 years....we had new volunteers...v spent our weekends discussing about IGIA..if we were unable to go there...V cribbed that they didnt study...v cribbed that they werent serious.....V met Vishnu n Subbu...2 of our most dedicated teachers....they used to visit IGIA n teach the kids there on every other Sat n Sun....prepare test ?...motivate the kids....

We had DJ...who taught permutation n CombHINATION :) with that underlying Hindi accent to the kids:)

We had Shwetha teach the kids Maths....

We had Anusha n Krishna do the Kannada honors....n s....at times...I have also taught them Kannada:)

We had Ahmad, Archana, Aravindan, Bavani n sooo many others do a lot of teaching.....

Special mention to Bavani, Ahmad n Archana....these ppal were not only new to B'lore....But used to travel all the way from BTM layout by buses...not even being able to read the Kannada words on the bus routes.....to teach the kids at IGIA.....

Today....none of us no longer teach ....but Im glad I gotto to do it sometime atleast....U have no idea....I love teaching history.....n I hope v do get back to teaching at some point of time in future....Started off with IGIA in another post....so wont repeat those experiences...other than the fact...that today I miss IGIA a lot....I miss the funtimes v used to have teaching, playing, arguing, fighting, me speaking in broken Tamil..... Pravs, Shila n me losing our tempers n blasting d children if they didnt pay attention in class....Shila was the softest...though.......miss complaining abt them to other volunteers or family....b4 u think this is all v used to do in IGIA....I know there were times when I used to wonder wat v were doing there...if they needed us...or if v needed them.....

V dont work with them anymore.....IGIA started with a dream to make a difference....with an initiative....which treated d volunteers to a learning experience....there were times in IGIA ...when I used to stand there delivering lectures on life..n half d time...I used to tell myself...Cma...practice wat u preach.....in d last 3 years...v have not seen our efforts make d difference it had to....simply coz if u wish to clap...U cant do it with only 1 hand :(

Chrysallis

Started with Christmas parties, then a wonderful programme which had special kids integrated with normal children .....n having such a blast together...imagine having kids...splash their legs in paint...n having to have their footprints imprinted on sheets of paper...or painting each others faces...or teaching d other dance....or songs.....

V continue to work with Chrysallis to arrange for gifts for children located in every other special needs home or remand or orphanages..

Daaaaaash-------

Have always loved the last min dashes to reach places...unless n until I believe there is a cause involved...I rarely make it in time to any place.....n even if I do...U know how I do...:)

July 2005: Training in Office.....My assignments were taking time to get done....cudnt catch the regular cab at 6:30....n had to catch a train to Chennai at 10:30pm...that night....

My uncle was supposed to drop me off to the station....so I leave office at 7:30pm...catch all the possible buses..TTs.....just about anything that came in first and land home at around 9:15pm....n then I get to know that my uncle wont be able to drop me off owing to a personal emergency....

My family was in Chennai...n I was supposed to join them there......n there was hardly an hour left to catch d train....n d station was a good 45 mins away!!!

Thats when my neighbour uncle stepped in....he had plans of taking me to the nearest auto stand n accompanying me to d railway station..But...hey ..in my area....there were absolutely no autos in sight....n I forgot to mention that neighbour uncle had a TVS Luna.....n I 2 big fat bags.....

V were moving at an extremely slow pace...naturally....:)

After rubbishing the auto idea....n after stopping at a petrol bunk for fuel....I realised there was no point....n was preparing myself to return back home after cancelling the tickets...as it was already 10:15pm....

But then....d climax to this story is that...I really dont know how v reached the station....how I was rushed into the nearest platform...n how I caught a train which was just begining to move....at 10:30pm sharp :)

Moral: Murphy's law revisited...but if u have an uncle with a kind heart ...noble intention...n even with a TVS Luna....U can still make it just in time....hehheh.....

N if u r wondering y I chose to write all this now...coz of 2 reasons....

1. My friend missed her train in the recent past owing to traffic jams...

2. 4 d 1st time in my life....I missed my cab at 6:45pm today.....with a battery down phone....but still managed to reach a function just in time.....thanks to a certain Royal Enfield :)

Talennzzz!!!!!!

I wonder what mine are!!...If u can call watching a movie and getting so involved that it actually takes time for u to get out ....actually..the bookies also have the same effect on me....

Will skip mine....n save u d trouble from reading my self-obsessed stories this one time....

Cindy

Now this 1 is 7 years my senior....has been with me every single moment of my life....always fought for our rights or freedom....I didnt have to do anything.....By the time ....I was old enough...things were already on the platter:)...Caring for others...is in her blood....she was the only reason I studied the way I did...when I was in school...Imagine having to get back home facing the sad face of Cindy when u tell her that I think Im not gonna get the 1st rank...coz I will be losing a quarter mark here or a quarter mark there..Anybody wud plain be determined never to repeat their mistakes... till this day.....most of the stuff I do has been her influence.......Is very cute with her thoughts....has an extremely good sense of humour...goto her when u r feeling down n then u will know....unfortunately has talenzzzz that only her sister is aware of :)...hehehe...the world is yet to discover Cindy.....

N if u thought distance as in thousands of miles could ever weaken a relationship.....I would suggest ...think again...coz if u r with Cindy..it only gets stronger n stronger........

CJ...

An absolute charmer....but has a wonderful side to her personality...that I always wonder not many people are aware of....Her talent lies in being this extremely caring n always giving person...to her pals....to her family....to just about anybody around her.....

She can carry herself in just abt anything.....has a wonderful taste ..when it comes to clothes, make-up, foot-wear n accessories...

She is also somebody that each of us have immense respect for...ya...ya...blame it on the fact that she is the 1st born in the group....but for the way...she gives in her best all the time....be it work....or fun...or just plain talking:)

Bacha:

This 1 is abt a certain Mr. Shayandhu who is almost 23.5 years my junior...n just missed being born on Shw's and my B'day....actually Im extremely glad that he was born exactly a day after Shw's B'day....or else...wat if he turned out to have her characteristics.....

Dance is his fortray......as it also runs in the family :)....if Sir hears Gujarish song from anywhere in the universe...He will run to the TV....Stomp his feet....turn around.....clap his hands...n dance.....hehheheh

He is d only other person in the entire universe...who truly adores my phone...as much as I do.....c him cry for it...n then u will know...d min...he gets it in his hand....observe him key in something here...n something there...n then lo..behold...d next moment....d phone is on his ears....n u can hear him talking away into it....with deep interest....

Maskafying ppal to go out......U shud c sir running after me at home...after Im just back from office...it is almost like the rest of the ppal in the house...dont exist anymore.....

Im told he is speaking now...but is yet to name his Masee :),,,,,,

Shila:

Talk the walk or the chat or the chair...or the footpath ...or the road..or the building ...I think this gal talks in her sleep also....hehehhe:)

V were in the same school.....didnt know her much then....I dont know how she missed talking to me...must be she got better with age....n haa....n Engg...she talked n talked n talked some more..n became a close pal....

I will lay ur talking to rest now...or else.... I might face dire consequences....hehhe...

Absolutely caring......very very giving....tolerates me big time....sometimes with my mood swings n sometimes with my constant boring tales....poor gal..I do pity u at times...ya

Shw:

A wonder in her own right.....Can paint like crazy....can do just abt anything under the sun....be it dance....n sometimes braying without caring for the rest of the world :)....have u ever had a friend....who had an arts exhibition in Chithrakala Parishad....The Arts Centre for professionals n have artists with thadis n over 40 years of experience in the field...ask u ...where u were trained...when u haev done it without it at all..something like Kishore Kumar singing without having formal training!!!

Pravs:

Actor, Dancer, Writer.....is the official solution provider to all our miseries :)...Has all the time in the world....to do stuff that she truly believes in...so dont be surprised that till date no1 has ever travelled that far to teach the refugee children on a regular basis....or actually drop in at times....when u need a shoulder to crib on.....

Gotto meet her when v were 11....over a round of Anthakshari.....n to this day..if there is any1 who knows us better than any1 else in the entire universe..It is her :)

Is a constant learner......learns from ppal...from experiences.....is bloopy at times :).....is an avid reader.....does awesome sketches....does a whole lot of things on her own...U will wonder where she learnt it from!!!

Prets:

A natural in more ways than one......is one hell of a care-taker, likes feeding hungry souls, no degree of finesse acting can stop her from doing what she wants to do!!...ya..ya...Am referring to the million times...madam has landed on my doorstep...when my parents were out of station....with food fit for a Queen!!!

An adventurer by nature, you are most likely to find her doing cute stuff like scaling trees, robbing fruits :)....ya...she claims that stolen fruit tastes the best....running into just about anything .....wanting to discover stuff....

She exudes a warmth with a lovely down to earth feel to it....except when it comes to her Kannada speaking skills....she has a looong way to go!!

Laks:

If Im already surrounded by caring pals....add Laks to the list 2.....this gal is made of stuff that very few ppal can comprehend...but if they cud.....U will be able to understand the recipe to staying cool n performing even under constant pressure:)

Initiator of sorts...does a lot for pals..has ensured that even after nearly 3.5 years of passing out...our coll gang is still in touch.....I like it best to watch her fight or argue or peck on Rams....she is 1 gal who has always stood by her pals...through thick n thin....I can never forget the Jan 1st accident n d amt of courage this gal showed all thru it.....

She is always loaded...so she was my constant money lender in coll......will never forget B'days or to remind poor souls like me n Rams to wish the others ...hehehe

Rags:

When it comes to doing stuff for others...be it supporting handicapped gals in their operations, ensuring that they earn a decent livelihood or providing learning resources to Government Schools...or visiting orphanages or old age homes...n bringing cheer to the lives of others.....U have Rags.....Unlimited :)

Though extremely practical in nature...when it comes to helping others....she thinks with her heart....is extremely self-less....n an extremely dedicated woman ...be it in her work or her social service activities.....Is my inspiration!!

Deps:

U didnt ask me to write abt u....a few of d others did :)...but I wanted to....

If there is 1 person...u meet after say...5 years...n u talk n have a blast just as how u always used to....U r ref to Deps....

Wisdom as they say comes with age...n if there is anything new or different in our friendship..is that...1/2 the time...when madam is busy hurling wisdom arnd....I do d pretending to listen act....

But there are times when u believe that simplicity n plain affection make such a powerful combo :)

DJ

This post is being written only coz he complained that u always write only about ur friends....n I wanted to prove him wrong :)

Born on Republic Day.....This bandha is perfect Achan-Father character....ppal have told me that not too many guys like being addressed that way....But thats precisely y I do that...

He is the 1st UKP....Ullu Ka Patta..I have known....who has all d time for his pals....I still remember d times when Shar, RJ, Shanthu, Shila, DJ n me used to have lunch together.....n sometimes when I used to get crazy abt work....even if I used to tell d others to carry on....this bandha wud come over to my workplace...n wait till my work gets done....n refuse to leave until I joined him!!

He was my official counsellor ...n has guided me thru tough times .....But if ur his pal..n r online blogging till 2am...n if UKP happens to be online 2....Gone...His fatherly act will take over n he will order u to sleep :)

Shar:

Thought he was Mr.Introvert when I met him 1st....But all that was due to change in the months to come...coz if u r wondering as to wat is that gals apply on their faces before they apply make-up n if u have 2 other gals in the group trying to wonder wat it is....Shar will give u d....U dont know that also look:) n tell u "Foundation" in no time....

Knows more abt gals...than v did ...he attributes all his knowledge to growing up with sisters :)

Can crack technical jokes...n when he ends up laughing at his own joke...thats when u find it funny too :)

Some1 who rarely forgets B'days ...I find it difficult to believe that guys can remember B'days...but he is 1 solid exception....

Have troubled him all the time...but then he has higher immunity levels than any guy I have ever met....

RJ

Bubbly....Fun...Witty....n practical.....thats how I wud put her together.....catch her give Shila competition 4 d perfect smiley pose...when some1 makes d mistake of taking their photos..:) or give u straight in the face....U asked 4 it...answers...that will keep u thinking that .....oh.....dont even dream abt beating around the bush...when u interact with this gal....

Managing workkk...fun....chat.....working flexi-hrs...n still managing to finish stuff...well in time....koyi isse seeke...

N d next time...U hear some1 call u a Moron....after meeting u 4 15 mins...U know RJ's arnd...:)

SVPK

Used to love expanding Abbreviations in coll....but dont ask me this 1...4 1...Forget abt d expansion...m not even sure abt the abbreviation...but m sure SVPK...knows who I am ref to...:)

Bindaaaas........Coooool-headed.......Comittment focused.....n simple......U get d feeling that madam is all serious ...serious types....but then...she is d silent entertainer....n can keep u laughing at just abt anything....

Moses:

Where do I start?....Moses is like the man who is looked upon as the flag bearer of all social service activities in office.....Wats best abt him...is that...he rarely makes a noise abt what he does....as he does it with a genuine need to help those in need!!

He has taught me a lot in the years that I have interacted with him about initiatives that can atleast change 1 person's life for the better....

Be it MoC or IGIA Refugee School or Spastics or Samarthanam or any blood bank or any school or home for d underprevileged or d orphans or d old or d destitutes...he has made social service a part of his life...n he is not 1 who pursued it for a couple of years...he has been pursuing it for decades...n is an inspiration to an entire generation of ppal like me :)

Sarbani

Creativity....Fun....Affection....Energy....Enthusiasm.....Unlimited......Welcome to d world of Bubbles Learning Centre for Autism and its founder!!

An autistic child's mother complains to Sarbani telling her that my son cried on the road...as d ice cream guy was taking time to serve us.....n whoa....U have the son...going.....I will never do it Sarbani Aunty....I promise..I wont cry on the road....Sarbani keeps a straight face....n tells him..So u will cry in other places...n then the son...starts his promises all over again....

Interact with Sarbani...just once...n I bet u ...U will get back home thinking u have met a wonderful person :)

Sups

Prep for internal tests in Engg: 0%....Both of us used to land in coll at 8am for the 9am inrternals....go over all d possible short cut notes available....n clear our tests :)

Be it d bike rides or d dance...or d plain solid need in coll to do something different n to have fun..they were met largely by Sups :)

Catch her giggle at the silliest of stuff.....or again get tensed for d silliest of stuff....n u will know fun :)

Vani:

D only reason y I spoke decent Kannada in coll....or started loving Akki Rotis....

Another last min internal tests study partner.....Sups, Vani n me formed a gang of ppal....even when v used to study in d last min...all of us kept cribbing half d time y v didnt read stuff earlier...coz in crowded BMTC buses, where in u cud hardly stand....U had us....holding fat textbooks...n mugging stuff:)

Adorable, simple n extremely friendly.....thats Vani:)

MJ:

1st it was CJ...then it was DJ...then it was RJ...n now it is MJ....

Email trapper....is known to set traps by sending out purely innocent mails...n then starting a mail chain....n getting u to write all sorts of stuff in it....:).....Used to have a blast in office with all those mail chains...esp d 1s after the Wayanad trip potas were out :)

He used to sit right behind me for over 2 years....n 1st I thought he was an introvert....but...Sir..is d 1st person....to ensure that ppal get to go on trips ...on treats....or just abt anything that is fun...

Xperiments a lot with his moustaches...thadis.....beards...etc...so everytime u c some1 with a new look....it cud just be MJ....:)

DP

Wat can I write abt a guy...who is sooo much fun.....n can never be found serious......

He is charged with d crime of having dropped my wonderful phone on hardened concrete surfaces just to prove that my phone wud still work....My phone did...but his endurance has caused him to repeat his crime against my phone...twice...

It was great fun...when DP, MJ, Maj, DK n Sow used to sit in the very same bay as mine in office.....now all of them have moved to other locations...except me.....

V used to argue quite a lot....draw each others faces on the white boards....play football.....n s...work also:)

Maj

D most unselfish guy I have ever met...always tries to make time to help others...was d official tutor...to almost all d freshers in office.....

But has a fun side to him...that surfaces only on extremely rare occasions......n when it does....U will laugh till u cry....

Was d unofficial person to have d gals in office give me bumps on my B'day n is 1 who is always ready to treat ppal...even when u r tired hunting for reasons...as to y he shud treat:)

Jay

V call him blood....simply coz if there were ever to be a request for any blood group....Jay wud have all the required n mostly...all the information...

imagine starting a group in coll...that worked towards sensitizing ppal to causes pertaining to blood donation, blood banks, serving out in Tsunami refugee camps....trekking all the way to the Himalayas...n representing a whole bunchaa ppal...in and around Karnataka....to distribute blankets to the qauke affected areas in Kashmir....

Commitment.....an easy going nature...n an extremely down to earth person...n a striking example of the saying"A friend in need....is a friend indeed"

Rac

Heheheh......I think d 1st word that Rac wud have uttered wud have easily been "BORED"....coz there r very few occasions when he isnt.....

Mr.Bored is huge fun...though I had hardly a clue.....when v were teammates.....It was I guess after the Chennai trip...that I got to know that there was this funny side to him....

U can chat with this guy for like ages.....abt just abt anything in the univserse..Is my guru in office...for all the non-technical stuff :)

Music crazy....Movie crazy....ya...v share a few things in common...alright...but it stops right there :)

2 very different days!

This blog pertains to an event that happened almost a year ago.....

My parents were in Mumbai….and I was all alone at home……I have no qualms in staying alone………but yes….I do fear cockroaches……….who had decided to show up after a long hiatus....

What you are gonna read is my narration of the past weekend….in truly myISH style………

I hate dosas……all coz I have been having it continuously for the past 8 days for dinner……with almost the same combo…..Morukolambu + Dosa………….

I sleep on Friday night…hoping to wash clothes…clean the house….. separating my old clothes for the collection drive in office….……going over some past memories…..some clothes…that I used to truly adore…very old….there was 1 that was atleast over 13 years old…but in perfect condition……..and yes…..given a chance…I would still wear it to office ……

On Saturday…..like a very responsible girl..I do get up at 7:30am…….as I know that I have a long day ahead……I start off by putting clothes in surf……open the grill on the back door of my house…and what do I see……cement…cement …everywhere…..not an inch of place to wash clothes…..

And then…the grill on that back door refuses to get fastened…..and I spend an entire hour half wondering as to how I will ever survive on my own…..as this was a security concern…U c…..

Finally after wondering if it was sheer physics or strength that was defeating me….I decided to call in my neighbour gal…and in a minute…the door budged……..making me look like a fool who spent an hour trying to get that done...

In the meantime, I get an sms from ICICI bank…..6000 Rs had just crept into my account……from a certain benevolent Mr. Australia……..

I decide that breakfast is important….and yes….I do get the batter ready for 2 dosas…when I get the sms from Keerthi(alias Anna)….that he have already left for the hospital…

And almost immediately…I get a missed call from Bhagya(the gal I am supposed to meet at the hospital)…..telling me that she is almost nearing the hospital….and from Keerthi…that he is already there…..

I am a lazy person…..and am late on most occasions…..so to keep up some dignity…..I decided to skip breakfast…and after a quick shower…set off to the hospital…


I was late…..I admit…and very sorry to be so…too….

We were to take Bhagya(a polio patient since birth) to the hospital for a bone grafting surgery…..

Moses had told me once….that whenever ur intentions are good…things will always fall in place…..

Out of the blue on Friday, I get a mail from my cab mate who has been in Australia for the past 1.5 years, telling me that he wishes to make a donation…..thats exactly the time when I realize that we have not been able to make enuf collections for Bhagya’s surgery….

I respond back explaining the need for funds for Bhagya’s surgery….and he replies telling me that he would contribute the entire amount…to my extreme delight and joy….1 hurdle we had crossed….

With the money in hand, we were due to see Bhagya’s doctor…..to those of you who are unfamiliar with Ramaiah old hospital…..it has none of its past glory…..tests are taken…but the patient is not allowed to carry home the test reports….and if they feel that u r from the village..they don’t even give you a second ear…..

Keerthi and me were determined to get all possible details…..and I hope we have…..

I met Bhagya thro Ragini, a colleague of mine….who has taken it onto her shoulders that she would help Bhagya and her 4 other handicapped gals…thro their operations ….with the hope that they would walk …..one day…..

Bhagya is 26 years old…..she doesn’t look 26…..very pretty……I cudnt take my eyes off her…the first time I saw her…..but a polio patient…all coz her parents did not give her the required vaccinations when she was small….Her father passed away when she was 1…and she lives with her mother in her village…..Her mother is a coolie worker by profession….and I am told believes that no amount of medical treatment can cure her daughterL…that kinda explains why….she was alone in the hospital…..having traveled alone to Bangalore from her village which is 2 hours away….but yes….her Dodamma’s magalu…did come later….to our relief….especially after we saw a stupid loser..checking her out at the hospital…

Bhagya had to undergo a few tests to declare her fit for the surgery….so after getting them done…..Keerthi and me…set out to IGIA….

Now I had asked the children to come prepared for a few topics the last class…and to my dismay….I realized that they had not...

I had a huge ego clash with one of the boys the last time….I mean…He was disturbing the class….and when I asked him to get out…He did…after uttering something after me….which I did not wish to hear….

After taking class…and telling them that I would return at 9am the next day….I headback home…where after washing clothes……I was extremely happy that Keerthi’s earlier prediction of clothes dipped in surf for a long time…could result in holes…did not exactly take place…

DAY 2: Terrible terrible day…..

I manage to get up…..but not quite…..I wanted to sleep more….and I did…and was finally awake by 9:30am…by a neighbour who I am sure thinks Im a born glutton…she got me 6 humungous idlis for breakfast…..I am supposed to be in the school by 9amL…I realize that I am useless….can never keep my word….and yes…I end up watching a 2.5 hour movie in 1.5 hours………..

By now….I also realize that sweeping the house is a must do……

I finally leave the house by 3:15pm…..hoping to create wonders in the schoolL…..and end up there an hour later…after getting through like a million jams…..and a very strange incident..In the 401B….there were 3 ladies who were seated in the front 2 rows…and were very weird….they were dirty and were talking like they were drunk or something….and there was this one lady …who kept falling everywhere in the bus……and was vomiting too……people beside me in the bus….were swearing to God..telling me that they were drunk…..but I sensed that there was something else….I was just wondering what it was like to lead a life like that……when they got out at the NES stop…and that falling lady collapsed on the road…and was sleeping amidst all that dust and dirt again…

The school was a disaster…the children were terribly prepared….I was late……I called Moses…cribbing about the condition….left them…making them promise me that they would study….and then blunder of all blunders…realized that it was 7pm…..

I step outside…bravely….like if anyone were to come anywhere close to me..I would eat them alive…

When I was jeered at…by a group of morons…in a maruti car..I cant tell u…how much of hatred I had against mankind at that very moment…..A maruti car passes by …and they open the door when they near me…and then speed off…laughing all along….

I was so irritated that the next thing I did was to catch hold of one of the male teachers of the school and requested him to stay with me…till I get a bus….and when I finally did catch one….it was taking me towards MOC….which BTW is in the opposite direction to where I live……

After cursing my ill-luck…..I take an auto to Yelahanka police station…..and guess what….truly one of those days….I was there for an entire hour…waiting for a bus…..to get back home….and wondering all the time…y do I do all this teaching stuff….…as to why ppl around me would disappear and appear all of a sudden…and I was the only standing person there….

I reach home at 8:45pm….and decide to cook…..and trust me that’s the only thing that brought me joy(though I spent 20 mins….cleaning and cutting 2 potatoes)

Wats cooking?

Me was never overly enthu abt cooking....simply coz I was always into other stuff at home...n sister n mother used to do all the cooking...n they were pretty good at it....so all I used to do...was to get my plate ready in time to eat...n officially taste n tell them if uppu kara is all fine....there were times when I have accused them also...hehehe ..of denying the entire family gud food..if the dishes didnt match up to my tastes:)

I stopped my nasty habit......sudd-suddenly....after visiting a children's home....where they had Iskon provided Bisibelebath every single day for lunch.....

Now my parents r always kind in their comments if they r having something I've cooked....even if it tastes pathethic.....largely coz they dont want me to give up on it....

The 1st time I made chapathis...I mixed the dough n was rolling out the chapathis ...while my father was tossing them around at the stove...Now my father was an awesome cook...once upon a time....before marrying my mother.....it seems all guys who did or did not know him also....used to travel miles to have my father's rotis n mutton curry.... So when my father asked me if I had just rolled out a Karnataka Map....I vowed that I wud one day...as Praveena tells me all the time...make nice round chapathis.....

8:15pm

This blog is dedicated to the tormentors Harish n Kishore and to my tutor Ravi...

Our office timings are from 9am to 6:45pm....U take the 8:15pm cab if you decide to stay back late....n whenever Im into any project....thanks to a lot of inefficiency during the day...I do end up staying back late...almost every other day....So if u leave ur house at 8am in the morning...U wont get back before 9:30pm....n even before u realise....as my colleague put it....he gets to see me run to catch the cab the following day:)

My phone has a single drawback.....the antenna is not too good for FM radio reception...so in the 8:15pm cab..I make it a point to sit anywhere close to the radio....am the unofficial DJ...of the cab....n I get lotsa telephone requests from the backbenchers....if at all Im busy with my thoughts.....n forget the ritual of playing songs....

We switch cabs mid-way from a Swaraj Mazda to a Qualis n thats how I got to know Harish....now every1s not in the best of spirits in the 8:15pm cab...ppal are usually tired....I have seen mothers worrying abt their kids' homeworks or cooking or ppal just waiting to rush back home...to eat n sleep...

Harish appeared to be an extremely reserved person..so did Kishore....n I was in the rapid mood swings wallah phase..I still dont know how I got all chatty with these 2 guys...but all I remember is the frequent arguments...the small fights..about the most ridiculous things on earth.....even at the end of the day....v used to talk in raised tones to proveour respective  points....tease.....talk abt philosophy....my MBA...abt irrelevant things that did or did not make any sense...it was amazing how each one of us seemed to possess the energy....but after a bad day at work....the cab masalas wud always put me into a good mood...n u go back home all cheerful...n not grumpy faced:)... V used to irritate everybody else in the cab..talk abt work-life balance....n Harish used to take extra pride living in the ignorance that he used to put me off  or irritate me with his constant chitter-chatter or philosophy ..there were days when that used to be on his mission-list..but the poor guy was always unsuccessful at it...coz little does he know that I am extremely immune to irritation....

MBA

D day I get my MBA degree.....I owe it to u guys....sorry Shila....am missing u out here:).....coz if it werent for their constant motivation...which BTW always consisted of the following sentences....When r ur exams??...Have u opened ur books.....At this rate....U will have to repeat ur papers....Going by 8:15 cab....huh....how will u study.....wat if u fail....so now u know how well they motivated me....

Kishore was my good luck charm for the MBA exams..I used to believe that if I passed on chocolates n kept him happy ...I wud pass my exams:)...different matter that my hard work n dedication to studies had nothing to do with my end result.....which was that I cleared all my papers.....

Phony stories

Kishore used to sit in the right opposite bay...n he was 1 of the very few ppal who had to take my tortures....

I have a loud voice....I cant whispher n talk.....when I am on phone...everybody sitting atleast 100m away will know wat I am talking abt....I sometimes wonder if I cud go places if I had the knack of talking softly...I dont...n d end result being that ...the ppal around me have all changed...Im still at the same place!!!

So..it was no surprise that in the 8:15pm cab...Kishore wud use this to tease me.....different matter that he used to accuse me of disturbing other ppal at work...but like I cared n was not remotely interested in taking him seriously...

Another topic that generated interest was my phone....hehehe...Harish used to own the same model once upon a time....n he hated it...n I ...on the other hand...simply adored my phone....

If it was sleek to me...It was stoopid to Harish....

If it was sooper cool with IR features n all.....It was featureless to Harish coz he was ignorant of its excellent features....

If it was more than a phone to me.....It was only a phone to Harish....

Telugu

I have always wanted to learn new languages....n 8:15 cab saw me learn n unlearn Telugu...all thanks to Ravi....

Today

Harish n Kishore no longer take the 8:15 cab.....they no longer work in my office...But I still do....n today I have a different gang in the 8:15 cab....n s....v still fight....v chat abt everything under the sun...so..be it the mad-ads or the yoga classes or free gyaan...or d movies or d songs....V r a music crazy gang....V tease n get teased....V laugh n get laughed at.....I dread the days when I travel back home alone..thats when d others have left early...n I pray that ...for as long as I stay back....they do too:)