Excavated Poetry

I had penned this poem in eighth standard for Teacher's Day celebrations but somehow I never recited it for reasons I fail to recall. I remembered about this poem when I was asked to contribute for the same event in engineering college, so I rummaged through my papers(full of scribblings in illegible handwriting) and was lucky enough to find the poem. But yet again, the poem did not see the light of the day.

There goes the history of the poem. Now go ahead and read it!

It's amazing

how we started with,

One block by me,

The other by you,

Never noticed when you turned those blocks

into steps.

Steps that led me,

Towards light and knowledge.

And that's when realisation dawned,

It's amazing

The word 'teacher',

Because you teach me,

Whenever I err.

Happy teacher's day!

P.S. If you are thinking that this does not qualify as a poem, you may be right. But try thinking from the point of view of a fourteen year old and it may not appear that bad.

Forever Burdened

I am someone who goes around with a burden on my shoulders. And my heart sometimes. I cannot step out of my house without a bag-even if it is a polythene one, I would carry it. I don't know what to do with empty hands and sometimes I fear that I am suffering from alien hand syndrome(wherein your limbs perform action contrary to your wishes. Scary, na?), so I need to keep them occupied.

I cannot fathom how people can travel without carrying essential things with them. Now this is a fairly common sight amongst guys but it amazes me when I see girls doing the same thing. I wonder how it feels to be so light.

It goes without saying that I possess lots of bags to carry my things around.Correction: I possess lots of huge bags. My college sack was roomy enough to stuff myself in and it was so complete in itself that all I had to do was pick it up and head off to my destination. Same goes for my handbag which has large number of confusing compartments but nevertheless helpful to keep me organized. Oh, and there is this light blue handbag gifted to me by my cousin brother(the only male I know to have a fantastic taste in handbags. His previous handbag was absolutely suited for me but unfortunately was ruined by Mom.) which is also of a decent size. Then there is this cross strap jean bag when I want to feel all college-ish.

I still can't stop goggling at those clutch purses women carry while travelling. Sure it's handy and small but does it hold your cellphone? No. The woman would be struggling to carry the clutch in one hand, cellphone in other and hoping that a third hand would sprout to grip the rod while climbing in the train.

What my bag holds is a mystery to my friends. They derive great pleasure in lifting my bag a few feet above and then leaving it upon gravity to do the rest while I try to maintain my balance and dignity. So I will let you have a peek at the insides of my companion along with justification as to why I carry certain items along.

1. Identity proof

I never bothered carrying one until one friend told me why it is important. With all the blasts and accidents happening around, she advised me to keep it just in case.. you know... I happen to land up in hospital, my folks won't have to go checking out every hospital. How very thoughtful.

2. College essentials

Includes ID(absolutely compulsory in college), library card(rarely used) and fee receipt.

3. Tissue paper

To clean up the rain water on seats or to lend to a weepy folk.

4. Smart Card and Coupons

The queues at station are always long but I have an added disadvantage- my luck. I am so lucky that the window at which I stand for a ticket either shuts down on my turn to buy ticket or the window closes prematurely when I am halfway through. Save time and print a ticket. Or punch a coupon. Or punch the station master for non-functioning ATVMs and CVMs.

5. Girlie stuff

Hairbrush, lip balm, clip etc. No justification whatsoever.

5. Polythene bag

I suffer from travelling sickness though the nauseating sensation is limited to ST buses and vehicles spiraling along ghats. I don't feel like spoiling the interiors of mode of transport and and make other people feel sick so the polythene bag.

6. Bottle of water

Forever thirsty being that I am, I don't take the risk of gulping water from a public tap nor am I snobbish and environment-unfriendly to buy bottled water for every trip I undertake.

7. Books

To keep me company when the journey takes too long or the co-passengers are absolutely boring. It is one of the most essential things and I get restless when I cannot feel the familiar reassuring lump inside my bag.

8. Food

For my hyperactive metabolism.

9.Umbrella

Seasonal item.Duh!

10. Miscellaneous

Gift wrappings of a memorable present, ticket of an awesome trip, a non-functioning watch which I always fail to fix up, tablets past their expiry date, dried petals of a flower that caught my fancy and so on.

So what do you carry around? I could do with some suggestions to add to my list ;)

Booked For Life

Books can be dangerous. The best ones should be labeled "This could change your life."

- Helen Exley

My blog template is enough to indicate my love for books and reading. It is the only thing keeping me sane these days when I am cooped up at home with nothing particular to do. I take to books as a fish to water and should anyone attempt to separate me from my love, it is met with disastrous consequences.

I was none of those boisterous, screaming, mischief- mongering child and hence was any parent's dream come true. Never had I, in my living memory, thrown a tantrum over something or embarrassed my parents by indulging in naughty fun. When I look back now, I think I was more of an observer- keen to see everything but with a step back so as not to get too involved, though I can say this trait got buried as I grew up. I was content reading the newspaper and when everyone was having a siesta at noon, I used to pull out the children's magazines (Champak, Gokulam etc.) and enter my own fantasy world. One of my favorite hobbies was writing down the words I heard on television and get it corrected from father. Then those words would be consulted in the dictionary for their proper meaning and used/abused in everyday life till it was imprinted on my mind.

There have been times when I am reading a book and a particular paragraph or phrase has mirrored my very own situation. This accidental stumbling turns out to be a savior during my rough patches or when I am just feeling low. I just clutch the books and thank my lucky stars for giving me a sign resolving my predicament. I don't boast of a collection because I have relied heavily on borrowing and books off Thane or Andheri station but I do plan to start buying them once I start earning which is an era away.

Just like a mother who wouldn't discriminated between her own kids, I can't name one single book which I adore. I love my kids equally whether it is Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist or The Harry Potter series or Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki to name a few. Let's just say that everyone has given me a hand while I climbed the wall of happiness and knowledge and when I looked down, they all smile indulgently at me, ready to hold me should I ever come crashing down.

But you know why I am in love with books? Because no matter how much time has elapsed and even if you forget them, the books always greet you warmly and not scoff for ignoring them. But the best part is they are the only constants in my life- the people around me will change but the characters and teachings of the book will stand the test of time.

Trust me, I have seen enough chameleons in my life to make me conclude no human is trustworthy(though I still deviate from this principle regularly). So on those bad days when I am exasperated at how much situations and people change, there is this one assurance that somethings in life will always be the same.

Food for Thought

I have to admit it, albeit sheepishly that I am a total foodie. I may be cursed with a low appetite but that doesn't stop me from gorging on food. Now let me make it clear that there is a very fine line of difference between a foodie and a glutton and my small stomach ensures that I don't fall into the latter category.

Being a foodie doesn't imply you fine dine at high-end restaurants and leave with a hole in your pocket. For college students, it is all about finding the best masala tea and the best roadside stall for vada pav and it hasn't been any different for me. Most of my living time on this earth has been spent scouring areas for that ultimate street food and while at the same time turning a blind eye to the not-so-hygienic surroundings. Should you ever happen to mention it to the vendor, he will give you a what-so-you-expect-in-so-less-money expression. Better focus on the food and quietly gulp it.I call it strengthening-the-digestive-system exercise.

I am not that experienced to conjure up a list for foodies but my recommendations have been seconded by many. One of the reasons for my limited experience being the lack of a proper foodie companion. I don't want to end up with someone who wrinkles up his/ her nose looking at the surroundings or cheekily asks the pani-puri vendor if they use mineral water.

So here is my little list of places, in no particular order, which have been a part of my foodie adventure -

1. Vada pav near Terna Engineering College bang opposite Nerul(W) Railway station. The female owner whom we call Aunty,diligently served us with the Indian burger and we stuck to her with unwavering loyalty. A vada pav cost us three bucks in those golden days but now it has been hiked to a reasonable five. If you are lucky, you might get to lay your hands on bhajis.

2. Frankies at the sole bakery(I fail to recall the name) inside Nerul(E) station complex. It was love at first sight with franky for me. Right from vegeterian delights like manchurian franky(highly recommended), noodle franky, paneer franky to various chicken frankies for the non-veggies. And the best part? Not exorbitantly priced, prices start from Rs. 25.

3. This place is right next to the bakery mentioned above and serves the meanest South Indian fare. But the bread masala pakoda is something to die for because they add tomatoes, a rarity.

4. Pani-puri at Bikaner outlets is sumptuous especially since they skip the fattening ragda and opt for moong and boondi. A good consolation for the calorie-conscious people who binge on this treat.

5. Everything at Shri Krishna hotel inside the Vashi station complex is delicious. You can't miss this place if you step out through the main exit from the station. Don't forget to try the masala dosa and jumbo vada pav.

6. I am yet to taste pav bhaji more finger-licking than the one's at Waghe's outlet at Old Panvel. Let you be guided by the aroma of samosas and vada pavs and the buttery pav bhaji to this hole-in-the-wall shop. Should your sensory organs fail you, ask anyone around and they would guide you but not before giving a do-you-live-in-Mars kind of expression.

7. Cocktail juice outside Kurla station and as a side note let me know it is not alcoholic else the whole station area would be full of staggering drunkards. A combination of various fruit juices and flavoured ice-creams in a large glass tumbler makes for a pretty sight. When you have recovered from the cold headache thanks to the really cold contents, stand back(can't say sit back because you are lucky to get a foothold in the area near the stall) and relish the blast of various flavors. Don't even bother counting them- I lost count at five.

8. Biryani and all non-vegetarian fare at Tirupati Prasad opposite Nerul(E) Railway station(again :|) at absolutely affordable prices makes it my favourite spot when I am low on money(which is quite frequently). Don't miss out the chicken lollipops and chicken chilly .

9. I have taken a fancy for Mongnis outlets nowadays and waste no time taking home various pastries which make you go ooooooohhhhhh.... with the sheer amount of cream oozing out. Conizza(pizza in a cone) is a unique delicacy which you shouldn't miss.

10. Auberge(hope I spelt it right) on the Panvel-Matheran Road opposite New Panvel Petrol pump, though it has been a long time I visited it. Anything you pick up is lip-smacking and easy on the wallet. The last time I landed there, I enjoyed a medium sized pizza for thirty five buck flat. My friends recommend the non-vegetarian food there and I am waiting for an opportunity to attack the food there with a vengeance :D

I would love to add places to this list so put in your recommendations. Only two conditions apply- good food and fair pricing. Happy gorging till then!

Energy and more

Oh well, I have been hatching eggs at home since the past three months and while many would happily trade places, the point I am trying to make is I can't manage to stay still for a few minutes. So you can imagine how restless I have become over the past few months.


But what I find weird is that my feet are behaving as if they commute for hours and are really tired. One look at them and you will know something is wrong. I feel as if my entire (mental) exhaustion gets concentrated there and no one has been able to give me any satisfactory explanation for the same. Some help would be appreciated readers.


All this while, I have been doing a lot of reading to the point that my eyes are shooting off signals to slow down a bit while my mind gobbles books and later ruminates over the day to relish every word,every phrase and quote.


I have been following and while the blogger updates with less frequency, I couldn't be more fascinated with the entire concept of energy management. We all have our favorite spot in the room and most of the times we can't pinpoint a single reason for it. I believe it has got to do more with the fact that you are tuned to that place and hence likely to assimilate the energy. Observe a child for that instance. He seems to follow a particular path to a specific place in your home and that will help you draw up a picture of how energy flows. The kid is likely to avoid cluttered spots since it emanates negativity.

'The Secret' by Rhonda Byrne(go drown yourself if you haven't heard of the book)concludes that the events in our life are the consequence of our thinking, whose power remains largely unacknowledged and untapped. To explain the book in a gist, it says that you can invite favorable events in life by occupying the mind with a steady stream of positivity. For example, make space in the house for a new person if you wish to have a life partner. Get clothes of the size you wish to fit in instead of cribbing over the ever-expanding waistline. Constantly imagine the offer letter in your mail and make up a list of things you want to purchase with your salary, if you are pining for a job. It is not without reason that cute pictures of cuter babies adore the home of an expecting woman.


Have you read Richard Bach's 'The Bridge across Forever'? I found it an average book but there is one section wherein the protagonist is trying to imagine himself taking flight(guy's a pro flyer) but somehow the vision is blurry. The reason, as it is later on revealed, is because he was not supposed to be taking flight. He gets a call from his friend/future lover and chucks going to airport. So what I do is, every time I am in a quandary over some action, I envision myself involved in that activity and if the picture is too grainy, I ditch the plan. Mind you, you don't want to spend every living moment like this to come to a conclusion. You got to decide without involving visions for petty things like if you should buy that oh-so-sexy dress. Leave the vision thing for the stickier phases of life.


So you get the basic idea? Now here is the truth. It is NOT EASY. To envisage a rosy future when your present is in dumps is taxing on the soul. When you feel wretched, all we can think of is curl up in a ball, draw the blinds and weep. I had a hard time to get into grips with a personal crisis and believe me, my imagination ground to a halt. But I was determined to bring the sunshine back into my life. Everyday before sleeping, I imagined clouds labelled 'grief', 'desolation' and other sad words moving out of my scope of vision and focussed on the beaming sun(complete with the smiley face we used to draw in our kiddie days).


So now you all know I had a happy ending only I wouldn't completely agree. The grief-causing agent didn't exactly vanish from my life, only I faced the situation with a resilience and a bulldog spirit to piece myself together.I now realize that tough times don't just evaporate, it is you who becomes valiant to face it.

Do you have stories to share about your brush with the mystical power of thoughts? Do share them with me, would love to hear them since I would like to relate to experiences apart from my own. Keep smiling :)

Being Patient With Patience

Patience is the bane of the needy. I have observed that our patience is tested and I mean really, really tested whenever we are in dire need of something. People say it a virtue, I say it is a necessary evil. You have to display patience not because it an indicator of your character but because you are left with absolutely no option.


There are so many instances to prove so. Take for example a queue at the railway station. I completely fail to understand why all the ticket windows cannot open at rush hour timings unless the railway authorities are a bunch of dung-heads to not realizes the obvious. So anyways, we are now forced to stand in the queue and while a few scheming individuals are conjuring up some plan to jump the queue, the remaining ones resign to their destiny and wait. No matter how much we crib, we HAVE TO shut up and be patient.


Mumbai University is famous for its inefficiency. I still don't understand why so much importance is attached to the MU stamp on mark sheet considering most of the pass-outs are complete baboons. According to the general rules, results must be declared within 45 days. It is preposterous to think they are going to stick to the deadline so now even after 45+45 days we stay patient and wait and wait and wait.


Job-seekers will agree with me that the company where you are begging for a job will treat you like dirt. If it would have been any other situation, our ego would have bubbled forth and heavy duty words like self-respect are dropped in the conversation. But in the above mentioned situation, we swallow our ego and put up with a smile. Patience anyone?


My conclusion from past experiences all point out to one fact- there is a sliver of difference between patience and tolerance and most of the times they are indistinguishable. The next time you mention patience as a virtue, think again. You might have little idea what you are talking about.

Season of Memories

Let us admit it, we Indians are absolutely in love with the monsoon. We treat the season Like a parent tracking it's baby's progress and gushing over it's every burp, barf and belch. And not to forget how we dutifully incorporate it in our every conversation. Whether it drizzles or pours,the news channels always have a hour hour special on it and with such huge publicity, it could put even Rakhi Sawant to shame.

I share a love-hate relationship with monsoon. As long as I am safe inside my house getting warm with a hot cuppa tea, I enjoy the rains pattering on the roof. But the moment I have to step out in the same rainfall I was enjoying a few moments back, my mood does a flip and all I do is grumble, complain ad rant. So here is a mixed bag of monsoon related memories in no specific order :

Memory #1
I remember once my school bus had got stuck in muck and tilted to one side but not in a precarious manner. All the kids were howling and someone's father appeared and I remember his dramatic entry too well wherein he yelled for his child and then scooped the girl and went off. Soon a few more parents appeared and the howling subsided as they took home the noisy sources. Only handful of us remained, each glancing hopefully outside only to be disappointed.

Memory #2
Once when I was at my native place, a woman was killed when the roof of a tank got swept away during heavy rains and came flying at her. For the next few months, I always scanned the skies warily during monsoons for a flying tank lid.

Memory #3
We used to create these mini tents with umbrella and play a new version of ghar-ghar.

Memory #4
I have learnt not to fall for all-season sandals because thanks to them I arrived home but only after the ritual of slipping every ten meters when it was raining badly.

Memory #5
Long back when waterproof bags were not a rage, the water managed to seep inside my bag and drown every book within. The happiness I felt knowing that I won't have textbooks to study for a while was out of this world.

Memory #6
I loved getting drenched in the rains. My building friends set a date and if it rained that day we would rush down and dance. Some aunty would get generous and serve us onion bhajiyas. Absolute bliss.

Memory #7
The 26/7 floods saw me shifting goods from the houses on ground floor to my place. The next morning, I was scrubbing utensils in the rain because we had no water supply. But the memory that sticks is having breakfast, lunch and dinner with the building folks all united by a disaster but sharing the common hope of sailing through it and rebuilding our lives.

Memory #8
The rains make you thoughtful. I have lost count of the times when I sit at the window and reminiscence over life. Sometimes they veer towards the negative aspects but the thoughts match the weather appropriately - dark,gloomy and moist.

Memory #9
Last year, we college people created a ruckus asking for a swine-flu holiday. The crowd was ready to bash up the cruel Princy but seeing the crowd, his expressions changed. That was the first time I was part of the demonstration and it would have been more fun if stone-throwing was on the agenda but I was sorely disappointed.

Memory #10
This is the best memory of all. Every time it rains heavily and if I am travelling by train, I scamper towards the door and stand there to let the rain patter on me. Such pleasures I tell you.