The New Man in My Life..................Felix

July 11th' 2009....

Little did I know that it’s going to be a significant day of my life. The day, when the much coveted, long dreamt wish is going to be true.

Yes, it was the day when felix, as we later chrishtened him, found me. I was on a leisure trip to Vijapur at Karnataka, when 4 lads were roaming with this cute puppy in their hands. We had an instant connect with his small black innocent eyes, clean self n brownish fur. And there started his road journey with me. From Vijapur to Solapur & then to thane where we reside. Since we were destined to be together no man or circumstances could stand a challenge in this journey.

From irregular toilet manners to eating habits & a major food poisoning event, we shared everything from food to bed. He learnt new something every day, just like a human baby. Still chews on every bit of furniture available, now he's into the process of getting rid of the milk teeth n acquiring a permanent set of teeth. He endears one n all with his doting love. Of course there are some people who would like to do away with him. But they are few n far between compared to the people who love him. He's a friend of kids n another child to my dad. He's famous in the locality & people know where he stays. In fact I am sure I am known as his care taker, kaku & atya as kids fondly call me.

Two of the biggest surprises came by when the bunch of kids landed at home with friendships bands & rings to be tied to him on friendship day. In consolation I also got a few. Second surprise came when around 12-14 kids got together & threw a surprise birthday party for me last year.

Today he is a boisterous lot with few who can match his energy. He’s now an integral part of my life. Who else showers an unconditional Love & Loyalty, something that I learnt from him.

It’s Me

We are culturally brought up to be always so nice, not to hurt anyone’s feelings, not to show if you are hurt, always be diplomatic, docile etc etc.

While it’s good in a way, it can often take a toll on us. Cause sometimes all of us feel like screaming at the other person. Scream for his / her stupidity, irresponsible behaviour, insensitivity. Or may be, sometimes just because of your own despair & disappointment. Whether it’s with the boss, colleagues, juniors, spouse, co passengers, parallel drivers or may be even maids. (I am not counting some of us who let the frustration on their spouse or kids.) But I am sure the civilised & cultured that we are, we just keep dumping these feelings in a corner of our mind or heart, always telling ourselves to ‘Let Go’

But how long will we say ‘Let Go’ How long will we convince ourselves & say that things will improve? How long will we just sit on the fence & discuss matters important over the cup of tea / coffee & again brush them aside in the daily chores?

Not any longer. I have decided to speak my mind. Off course, for the most logical & constructive matters. Issues those are significant to us & not just negative issues. For the first time I am not afraid of what people will think of me or opine about me (Not that I have been very very conventional. I have always done things that I felt were right. They may not fit the middle class norms perfectly. But never compromised on the family values & honour). So here I am. Join the Joy Ride as I enjoy My Space with the Real Identity!!! J J

Lets Waste Water..

It’s neither a spelling mistake nor an oversight. This seems to be the mission of TMC (Thane Municipal Corporation).

First it was at Ram Wadi, then it’s opposite SBI (State Bank of India) Naupada Branch. Ram Wadi took 3 days to fix. God knows how many days SBI will take. And all this in spite of the public protests of the locality.

Terror Tourism

Terror Tourism

After poverty tourism at places like Dharavi, the latest ‘In Thing’ is Terror Tourism. It’s so popular with our elected or non elected politicians, that it needs no introduction.

All of us saw our then chief minister visiting The Taj after 26/11 with Ram Gopal Verma (God knows how Mr Verma was a part of the bevy). This time it’s the turn of the cultural capital of the state, Pune. Otherwise quiet, Pune suddenly came in news for a terror attack at German Bakery on Feb 13th’ 2010. And there the tourism hit its peak. Within minutes, politicians from various parties flooded the scene & continue to do so even now. The tourism just does not stop at the site of attack but reaches up to the hospital where the injured are being treated. At such an event where we have lost our loved ones & trying to save the rest, do we really want to see someone who feels nothing about us or the dead? Do we really want to see someone whom we never get to see otherwise but at such deadly ghastly occasions? Do we really want to be seen on the national or regional TV in the most vulnerable way or we would like to cope up with the grief it in private?

If any elected / non-elected member is really so considerate, why do we never see them without media? What is achieved from this visit apart from cheap publicity? Why does Media support such visits? Does the rest of the nation really want to see who all visited the spot or do they want to see what proactive & reactive actions are taken & what are the lessons learnt the hard way?
Why are cops not equipped to stop such entourage at least until the site is cleared of all the evidence? Such large untrained teams, touring the site damages the forensic evidence.
If someone is so concerned why does he not help the injured through cash & kind. If someone is so concerned, he/she can proactively educate the people of their constituency for such terror attacks so that no one touches or opens unidentified baggage, people are vigilant of the strangers in the area & their activities. Every popular or crowded area has hidden surveillance cameras etc.

There are ways & means to help & be concerned. Hence it’s high time we should put a stop to such Terror Tourism shading crocodile tears wasting us tax payer’s money.