"Its a stupid country. Stupid country filled, OVER-filled with stupid people!
The government takes full advantage of the public and we do nothing. Heck it we don't even vote! The public includes just a bunch, a very big bunch indeed, of stupid, stereotypical hypocrites! The poverty rate in India is so hypnotically high! India is highly overpopulated country with under-utilised resources. Corruption is a way of life for the upper class of India! Superstitions and sentiments rule the decision making in this country of emotional fools!!! The people are so emotion-oriented, they forget what the practical world is like! In India teenagers are not allowed jobs, while there are special jobs reserved for only teenagers in the developed nations! The poverty level of this country touches heights!! This country has NO FUTURE! Just a bunch of people using its resources for selfish motives and a fewer number unsuccessfully trying to protect these resources. I just wanna leave this country, these people, these idiot senseless people praising a country with underutilized resources." "
These were the final words of Rajesh Verma, a 17-year old teenager, who aspires to get a job of lawyer in America. In a few months (4 to be exact), he left the house (rather his father kicked him out) and followed his dreams of being a lawyer in USA after leaving his motherland he never respected.
AFTER 3 YEARS
INDIA
"I'm sorry papa. I shouldn't have been so disrespectful to my own culture, my own tradition, my OWN country!!"
"And where did that come from Mr. America! Tell me, how did a boy, who hated almost everything about his country realised that it is the greatest asset of his life? huh? tell me. I don't know if you are worth trusting because the last time I saw you, I saw a storming kid who betrayed his family, his education, his friends and above all his COUNTRY! Tell me. and who is this woman you have brought? Is she..."
"NO NO pa! She is a friend, a very very dear friend. I will tell you everything from the start, from the very start."
"And you think your father is interested in all your experiences and achievements and all that Americanization you have had!! You know how we have SURVIVED all these years. You have no right to come to my house! Just get out of here before I call the Police!"
"Please father please, I will not even enter the house, just let me tell you what I want to say and then you can use your discretion to give me permission to live here or kick me out of here again. I won't utter a word."
"Okay. Start. But remember, nothing you will say will be enough to justify your motherland. Whatever you say, think before you do... Now, Begin"
"I was all set to join the public of the most powerful, superior and practical country in the world, USA (that's what I though back then). I knew what I had to do, what I was gonna achieve, everything was planned. I was planning to get admission in this amazing law college, South Texas College of law, but the cost was a lot so I had to stick to a cheap institute. In starting, it all felt perfect, all were free practical thinkers and not bound to customs and rituals. I even had a girlfriend, Jenny, and she was wonderful. She was cute, funny, gorgeous and loved cooking! First 2-3 months went fine. Then something happened and it got me thinking!
"One Monday morning, some boys were teasing me in class. Teasing me about my nationality, about my country, about me being from a land of snake charmers and 'stupids'. All my life I used to say that but that day, when THEY said it, their words filled me with aggression. I fought all 4 boys but was easily overthrown due to their number. One of them was dean's son and a very feared student in the university. I complained to the dean about this directly, but he thought that the students are too old to handle such petty stuff. After that day, everyone's behavior towards this Indian student changed hypnotically.
"It was quite confusing because there are no such discriminatory activities seen in this land. Everyone started discriminating me due to my nationality. I was not able to take it but since I had no other option, I had to stay. I started taking liquor as a stress buster. Due to this habit, my attitude changed a lot. I knew I could not go back to India. I neither had the money, nor the courage to stand up in front of you. Jenny was still by my side. She understood me well. She was the only friend I had on that foreign ground.
"I had a part-time job for, you know, make a living as I had no inflow of money in my pockets. There was this garage I used to work in. Its owner, Mr. Gary Smith, was a very generous man with a bald head. He was happily married with a 5-year old daughter. Not a very old man himself, he was around 30-34. I used to get 150$ per month for my job as a mechanic. I must say I enjoyed working there, but just a little. Mr Smith was a friendly man, used to treat me well. I once dined at his place (you see, I was his favorite mechanic. he liked me a lot). He and Jenny were the two people due to which I was able to survive that awful condition.
"But it did not last long. Those university students after some time stopped their non-sense, as exams were approaching and then no-body cared about all the discriminating business anyways. By now, I was about 11months away from home. The life was okay now. Not as bad as the previous months. The daily routine was pretty much the same, just that now the university part was not as miserable. I had made a few friends through Jenny. Ryan, Alex, Joanna and Henry. They were good to me, but I think it was only because of Jenny, otherwise they wouldn't have been as nice as they seem. So the life was finally 'fine'. This was my basic life style after the end of discrimination.
"I did miss my days in India. Those times, when we used to play and play a lot. Cricket, though not a passion for it now, T.T., Carom, Chor-Police, lock 'n' key and all the others. There was nothing like that in America. The food was not quite a problem as I used to like junk food more anyways and I loved non-veg (as you know). I missed my friends, I missed my schools, I missed my house, our house and above all, I missed you. I missed you a lot pa! I had only one picture of yours and treated as a lucky charm, and you know what, it did work! I had that photo when I got that garage job and also when I got the admission in the university. Sometimes I used to feel a little lonely but then there were two people who did not let this feeling to arise at a dangerous level.
"I used to spend most of my time with Jenny. She was wonderful and it was ridiculously amazing how we two got along so well. Her full name was Jenny Williams. She lived with her father (Mr. Martin Williams, a doctor) , mother (Ms. Bertha Williams, dead in a car accident 5 years ago), an elder brother (Mr. Andrew Williams, doing shoe business) and a younger brother (Adam) who aspires to be a pilot. She was a practical girl who was good at utilizing the available resources to the fullest. She did not get irritated or angry easily and loved cooking! She used to make lovely dishes and I loved to taste them. I taught her a little hindi too. She wanted to get all the corruption out and work for good, and thus she took law, which was apt as she had the potential of a dynamic lady.
"Everything was pretty much the same, 9:00a.m. to 4:00p.m. university, 4:00p.m. to 6:00p.m. Jenny, 6:00p.m. to 10:00p.m. garage, and then home, heading towards my bed and sometimes doodling with my laptop and surfing some Indian music (of course I hated bollywood still, don't worry about that pa!).
"Lets fast forward all this to 2 months from the end of my course as everything was pretty much what I have already said. I was ready to get my degree, get a job in USA, marry Jenny, have babies. I had even planned the name of the kids as well!! boy - Matthew; girl - Sara. Then one night, when I was surfing through various sites with ghazals and all, I came across this song from the movie Naam starring Sanjay Dutt, 'Chitthi aayi hai...'. Believe it or not, this song was turning point of my life! I never took hindi songs seriously but now, there I was listening to a song, thinking about you people, both my sisters, my younger brother, amma, and of course, you! how your life must have fared when I was away? I was listening to the song and then imagining things, again listening and again imagining, it was all coming in pictures, one after one, and none of them were positive. Remember how I used to be all emotionless and all, never cry or laugh with full sadness or pleasure, well, this was the first time I remember when I cried and I was sad, very very sad. I instantly changed my plans about settling in US and was on my way to ask Jenny to come with me. It was hard to change her mind but she finally agreed and her parents agreed as well.
"But now I was worried. Worried if you would accept me or not. That after all my disrespectful behavior towards everyone, will you people accept me or not. And if you won't, I'll have practically no place to call 'Home'. The place I was living was a total dump!! The students with me were not only irritating but also down right stupid. Jenny was always there to help me but then I realized family holds much more importance than friends.
"The exams fared well and I got Jenny, love of my life. This woman sitting in front of you, begging for an apology for me is none other than Jenny"
Mr. Ranveer Verma, although not totally satisfied with his son's "explanation", tried to make his self understand that making mistakes and then overcoming them makes a person a better one. So... he tried to forget his son's foolishness, and accepted him. He took his son and his son's potential wife in his arms and accepted him and Jenny without any more questioning
.
After some days, Rajesh and Jenny got married in the presence of Mr. and Ms. Verma and Mr. Williams.
They both lived in India and Rajesh was a successful lawyer, whereas Jenny was learning how to live a life of an Indian housewife with the help of Rajesh's mother. Ms. Jaya Verma (Rajesh's mother) and Jenny bonded well. After 1 year, Rajesh and Jenny had a boy and guess what they named him?!
Monday, October 25, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Friends for life
Rahul and his friends were strolling around the garden enjoying their last day of exams and first day of the blessed summer vacations. Everyone was talking about their examinations, how did they go, how will their parents react, etc etc etc.
There 5 of them, Rahul (of course) Soniya, Mahesh, Tarun and Sara. They had been friends for over 3 years now, time enough to make friends for life! They were always together. They were the perfect example for "One for all, All for one."
Rahul's parents (originally from Delhi) were new in Mumbai and didn't know much about the place. His father was a Bank manager in SBI and mother, housewife. His grandfather was a retired army general and now was enjoying life with his only son, his wife and his 12-year old boy who was very attached to him. They had no accommodation problem due to Mr. Mukesh Malhotra's (Rahul's father) job. They lived in a good flat, in Andheri and had a fine neighborhood. The main problems for any family after transfer include accommodation and child's education. Same goes for Malhotra family. Since place was no problem now, education of Rahul was promoted as "problem-at-hand." Rahul did not wish to be in college, unlike the norm here, and wanted to study his 11th standard in a school. With a little help from friends and internet, he got to know about City International school, a reputed and close school, . He did missed his previous 5 years in Delhi but had no idea what was coming his way. He had no problem with getting along in class and was a good kid. The teachers liked him due to his obedience and the students due to his friendliness. And here is where these 4 people entered in Rahul's life. They had made a group of their name own, even named it "The big 5" just for fun.
Now we fast forward all this, to the last day of board examinations. Everyone had mixed feelings, tensed about the future and happy about the completion of these scary boards. BOARDS. A word teachers loved to use to scare teachers, we thought. It was amazing how everyone celebrated. All the "rankers" were merely had a piece of cake or pastry and the "back-benchers" were partying all day long. Rahul and his friends were the perfect balance between the above two classes. They liked talking about subject and connecting them to something entirely different.
'The Big 5' was strolling on the pushpavila garden near the school and thinking about different issues, all very serious.
"I have been through this many times but it never gets easier. Leaving friends pains a lot but this time, its just too much. I don't know if I will be able to handle this or not. There is no one near the residence with whom I can play or talk to. Mom and Dad never understand what I want to say, they always mis-understand me and interpret only negativity out of my words. These 4 are my only emotional asset which, I know, I can't have forever. LIFE SUCKS!!!" Rahul accepted to himself.
"Boards over, and the tension starts. Even after knowing how much I want to be an engineer, my parents won't let me and I have no idea what else can I do. Doctor? Blood makes me puke. Teacher? I have no patience at all! Housewife? I want to make money, not just sit at home doing household chores. That's a boring life which I have no wish to live. All is so confusing!! Atleast I have these 4 to share my thoughts but they will be gone too, in a few weeks. Who will I share my feelings with? LIFE SUCKS!!!" Soniya said in despair to herself.
"Finally the boards are over! No more late night studying. No more mugging up answers. No more 'no movies'. And I have a lot of choices for my career. Dad is even otherwise expecting nothing. But why am I not happy! There no reason to be sad. Everyone is happy with their exams. I am finally feeling like a free bird. I always said that this school sucks but then why I DON'T want to go away. Why do I want to stay? Stay forever? Why do I feel like crying? I will miss every member of our sweet little group but then wasn't I the one, always "practical" always "mature" ? This all is very confusing. But one thing sure isn't. Even if I forget my parents, I will remember these 4 bastards forever." Mahesh sadly asks himself.
"Nothing to get scared of now!! Everything is going just the way it was expected. I might get around 80% - 85% not too great but not bad either. For my choice of career, psychiatrist, it is all fine. Although, its a little, rather very sad to leave such wonderful friends, life moves on and so should I. I can't keep crying and live like a loser. And if any of my friends go through this, I will make them feel comfortable by my talking. It can be a good test to see if I am good for psychology or not? Its a mixed feeling, like everyone else's, but I am more happy than sad. This is the first step to adulthood. To understand what life is really all about. This is my time. To any problem in life I say 'C'MON'!! Sara committed to herself.
Just then Tarun received a phone call from his Dad, and was shocked to death after hearing that her mother had met with an accident. It was a dreadful revelation. He didn't say a word for a minute. Just started wailing. Everyone asked. He paid no attention. He was all in his cries. He was troubled by the choice of future but now, it felt to him that there IS no future. When Rahul slapped him, to make him realise that he was being called, he told everyone about his mom's accident, how she bumped into a car when she was going out to buy some household items. Everyone rushed to Tarun's place and got the information that his mother was taken to the nearest hospital by the driver himself. She had a badly hurt knee and little brain injury. At that moment, when they dashed towards the hospital, they all forgot their own problems. They were not very late as neither the house nor the hospital were too far from the school (that one of the few reasons why many students registered themselves in City International). Tarun's father told them everything in detail. About the accident and about the situation. Mother had some serious injuries but it was nothing close to fatal. They all took a sigh of relief. After sometime, his father asked him about his examinations (it had been quite a while and the mother was resting on her bed), to which Tarun replies "They were fine, paa."
Everyone was feeling dull, but Sara. So she started the conversation by the most obvious words "why is everyone so silent?"
One by one every member of that beautiful group started talking about what that group meant to them and now how they feel about. It was very very hard for even a girl like Sara, to hold her tears. They all started crying after the talking session. And they promised that they will always be there for each other till death!! and yes, they used this word, "DEATH."
30 years later
Rahul was a successful CA just like his father wanted him to be as he always was good with numbers.
Soniya was a successful engineer. She did have a fairly intense screaming match with her parents about it but finally she was able to get what she wanted.
Sara was a well renowned psychiatrist and was very successful and satisfied with her life.
Mahesh had totally transformed into and intense lawyer after all these years.
Tarun was a surgeon in Hinduja hospital.
It was hard for everyone to meet at regular intervals so, they decided to meet on all the special days ie. birthdays of each other.
Rahul "Although 30 long years have passed after that accident, I cannot help but cry. All the memories come back, which saddens no-one, but me. Everyone seems to have passed that stage of overcoming such thoughts, but not me. And I am happy about it. I have divine memories of my childhood. Many people say that I wish to live my childhood once more, don't count ME in one of those many. Its special only to the time it is rare."
TO THE READERS
Rahul "This Jalaj, is not a very good writer, I know (and I hope even he knows) but give this kid a little chance. He likes it a lot. Encourage him and he might do wonders. But don't count on him,OK? Good day my fellow readers."
There 5 of them, Rahul (of course) Soniya, Mahesh, Tarun and Sara. They had been friends for over 3 years now, time enough to make friends for life! They were always together. They were the perfect example for "One for all, All for one."
Rahul's parents (originally from Delhi) were new in Mumbai and didn't know much about the place. His father was a Bank manager in SBI and mother, housewife. His grandfather was a retired army general and now was enjoying life with his only son, his wife and his 12-year old boy who was very attached to him. They had no accommodation problem due to Mr. Mukesh Malhotra's (Rahul's father) job. They lived in a good flat, in Andheri and had a fine neighborhood. The main problems for any family after transfer include accommodation and child's education. Same goes for Malhotra family. Since place was no problem now, education of Rahul was promoted as "problem-at-hand." Rahul did not wish to be in college, unlike the norm here, and wanted to study his 11th standard in a school. With a little help from friends and internet, he got to know about City International school, a reputed and close school, . He did missed his previous 5 years in Delhi but had no idea what was coming his way. He had no problem with getting along in class and was a good kid. The teachers liked him due to his obedience and the students due to his friendliness. And here is where these 4 people entered in Rahul's life. They had made a group of their name own, even named it "The big 5" just for fun.
Now we fast forward all this, to the last day of board examinations. Everyone had mixed feelings, tensed about the future and happy about the completion of these scary boards. BOARDS. A word teachers loved to use to scare teachers, we thought. It was amazing how everyone celebrated. All the "rankers" were merely had a piece of cake or pastry and the "back-benchers" were partying all day long. Rahul and his friends were the perfect balance between the above two classes. They liked talking about subject and connecting them to something entirely different.
'The Big 5' was strolling on the pushpavila garden near the school and thinking about different issues, all very serious.
"I have been through this many times but it never gets easier. Leaving friends pains a lot but this time, its just too much. I don't know if I will be able to handle this or not. There is no one near the residence with whom I can play or talk to. Mom and Dad never understand what I want to say, they always mis-understand me and interpret only negativity out of my words. These 4 are my only emotional asset which, I know, I can't have forever. LIFE SUCKS!!!" Rahul accepted to himself.
"Boards over, and the tension starts. Even after knowing how much I want to be an engineer, my parents won't let me and I have no idea what else can I do. Doctor? Blood makes me puke. Teacher? I have no patience at all! Housewife? I want to make money, not just sit at home doing household chores. That's a boring life which I have no wish to live. All is so confusing!! Atleast I have these 4 to share my thoughts but they will be gone too, in a few weeks. Who will I share my feelings with? LIFE SUCKS!!!" Soniya said in despair to herself.
"Finally the boards are over! No more late night studying. No more mugging up answers. No more 'no movies'. And I have a lot of choices for my career. Dad is even otherwise expecting nothing. But why am I not happy! There no reason to be sad. Everyone is happy with their exams. I am finally feeling like a free bird. I always said that this school sucks but then why I DON'T want to go away. Why do I want to stay? Stay forever? Why do I feel like crying? I will miss every member of our sweet little group but then wasn't I the one, always "practical" always "mature" ? This all is very confusing. But one thing sure isn't. Even if I forget my parents, I will remember these 4 bastards forever." Mahesh sadly asks himself.
"Nothing to get scared of now!! Everything is going just the way it was expected. I might get around 80% - 85% not too great but not bad either. For my choice of career, psychiatrist, it is all fine. Although, its a little, rather very sad to leave such wonderful friends, life moves on and so should I. I can't keep crying and live like a loser. And if any of my friends go through this, I will make them feel comfortable by my talking. It can be a good test to see if I am good for psychology or not? Its a mixed feeling, like everyone else's, but I am more happy than sad. This is the first step to adulthood. To understand what life is really all about. This is my time. To any problem in life I say 'C'MON'!! Sara committed to herself.
Just then Tarun received a phone call from his Dad, and was shocked to death after hearing that her mother had met with an accident. It was a dreadful revelation. He didn't say a word for a minute. Just started wailing. Everyone asked. He paid no attention. He was all in his cries. He was troubled by the choice of future but now, it felt to him that there IS no future. When Rahul slapped him, to make him realise that he was being called, he told everyone about his mom's accident, how she bumped into a car when she was going out to buy some household items. Everyone rushed to Tarun's place and got the information that his mother was taken to the nearest hospital by the driver himself. She had a badly hurt knee and little brain injury. At that moment, when they dashed towards the hospital, they all forgot their own problems. They were not very late as neither the house nor the hospital were too far from the school (that one of the few reasons why many students registered themselves in City International). Tarun's father told them everything in detail. About the accident and about the situation. Mother had some serious injuries but it was nothing close to fatal. They all took a sigh of relief. After sometime, his father asked him about his examinations (it had been quite a while and the mother was resting on her bed), to which Tarun replies "They were fine, paa."
Everyone was feeling dull, but Sara. So she started the conversation by the most obvious words "why is everyone so silent?"
One by one every member of that beautiful group started talking about what that group meant to them and now how they feel about. It was very very hard for even a girl like Sara, to hold her tears. They all started crying after the talking session. And they promised that they will always be there for each other till death!! and yes, they used this word, "DEATH."
30 years later
Rahul was a successful CA just like his father wanted him to be as he always was good with numbers.
Soniya was a successful engineer. She did have a fairly intense screaming match with her parents about it but finally she was able to get what she wanted.
Sara was a well renowned psychiatrist and was very successful and satisfied with her life.
Mahesh had totally transformed into and intense lawyer after all these years.
Tarun was a surgeon in Hinduja hospital.
It was hard for everyone to meet at regular intervals so, they decided to meet on all the special days ie. birthdays of each other.
Rahul "Although 30 long years have passed after that accident, I cannot help but cry. All the memories come back, which saddens no-one, but me. Everyone seems to have passed that stage of overcoming such thoughts, but not me. And I am happy about it. I have divine memories of my childhood. Many people say that I wish to live my childhood once more, don't count ME in one of those many. Its special only to the time it is rare."
TO THE READERS
Rahul "This Jalaj, is not a very good writer, I know (and I hope even he knows) but give this kid a little chance. He likes it a lot. Encourage him and he might do wonders. But don't count on him,OK? Good day my fellow readers."
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Environment - A Sad Ending
The world is falling apart, Doomsday is near
Mortals on earth, are dying in fear
Forces of nature, are playing their trick
Industries and factories, are making environment sick
The wells are going dry, most animals need breeding
And imagine this world going down, giving rise to a sad ending.
Misused and exploited,we have, every inch of the planet,we could
Smoke and carbon, are smouldering children's childhood
It is time for us all to ask ourself, this is our mother earth so can we help
Its high time for us, to stop talking and start acting
And imagine this world going down, giving rise to a sad ending.
Drugs, Gambling and Prostitution, has taken over our society
Ignorant people's rule which makes us angry
Total control is the wish, of men around the globe
Everyone wants to make money, but no one wants to probe
The world as we know it, is all deteriorating
Imagine the world going down, giving rise to a sad ending
"You are gone insane, You don't know what you say
You are going wrong, You are falling pray
The world needs money, Not some stupid suggestion
Those senseless feeling, we use to increase complications
Some stupid thinks that earth can go to HELL
What is all this fuss, about the nature's 'wail'?"
Calling for help for my planet,getting no response from the past
As the glory our planet had, did not last
Calling for help to all the planetians, was never understood by them
They think its nothing more, than a hoax calling game.
With end of life on this beautiful planet,somewhere there will be a rising
But can anyone forget the world gone down, which gave rise to this sad ending?
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