#WonderWoman
#WonderWoman
“I used to want to save the world, this beautiful place. But the closer you get, the more you see the great darkness simmering within. I learned this the hard way, a long, long time ago” says the #WonderWoman. A goddess with a sacred duty of saving the world– to fight injustice, jealousy, and hatred fed in humans by the “God of War”. Her aura leaves only deceit as the weapon for the War God. Posing as a “God of truth” he tries influencing her to join his mission. But what does she do? She believes in love. The only way to save the world.
Isn’t this the story of every other woman? They not only save our world but make it beautiful. And yet what they get is our darkness. Be it a son, a husband, a brother, the darkest side of yours is seen by the #WonderWomens…
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#WonderWoman
#WonderWoman
“I used to want to save the world, this beautiful place. But the closer you get, the more you see the great darkness simmering within. I learned this the hard way, a long, long time ago” says the #WonderWoman. A goddess with a sacred duty of saving the world– to fight injustice, jealousy, and hatred fed in humans by the ‘God of War’. Her aura leaves only deceit as the weapon for the War God. Posing as a ‘God of Truth’ he tries influencing her to join his mission. But what does she do? She believes in love. The only way to save the world.
Isn’t this the story of every other woman? They not only save our world but make it beautiful. And yet what they get is our darkness. Be it a son, a husband, a brother, the darkest side of yours is seen by the #WonderWomen of your life. Even worse, we’ve been the reasons for rapes, female foeticides, harassments etc. Yet, they consider us as their sacred duty.
Many a time, their conscience – ‘God of Truth’ tells them that we are the source of their greatest sorrow. And we don’t deserve them. And yet they choose us. They fight for us, who cannot fight for themselves. Give us strength, show us path and protect our world
If we think from the bottom of the heart, then we’d wish we had more time. More time to love them. I pledge to love the #WonderWomen of my life – mother, sister, friends, teachers, and colleagues so much so that they believe in love and continue to cure the demons like us.
I pledge so that my #WonderWoman would say “And I used to want to save the world, to end the war and bring peace to him. But then I glimpsed the darkness that lives within his light. I learned that inside him there will always be both. The choice each must make for ourselves – something no hero will ever defeat. And now I know… that only love can truly save us. So now I stay, I fight, and I give – for the world I know can be. This is my mission now, forever.”
Thank you #WonderWoman. Thank you #GalGadot.
Maya
The first I heard about Maya was through my ex-boss. I bumped into him while going for a meeting and there he was all excited to show off his newly acquired photography skills. Apparently, he had just come back from his visit to ‘”Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve”. Now my ex-boss is very much like “Rancho” from “3 idiots” and by now had become a tiger expert. The next few minutes he took me through all the pictures captured and the jungle stories, more importantly stories of Maya-a famous tigress and her cubs from the forest.
One month had passed and I got to know that I’d been invited to my company’s offsite. And the place happened to be “Tadoba. The next few days went by hearing anecdotes of the last offsite (which was also at Tadoba) and how Maya and her cubs had mesmerized the team. Even through all these discussions, the excitement in me didn’t grow, especially as offsite meant you work on some topic to be presented to seniors. In midst of the tension, work travel, office exigencies, time passed.
Safari 1:
The schedule was a mix of safaris and strategy sessions randomly picked by the seniors. The moment we checked in the hotel, the event manager asked us to get ready for the first safari. With scorching sun on the head, mind tense for the presentation, and body tired by the travel, I wanted to skip this one badly. But before I could even think of anything, I found myself in a jeep, heading towards the jungle. While I am not much of a nature enthusiast, I’ve been to a Jim Corbett once, and expected this to be similar. Yet within the first few kilometers I realized, how wrong I was. Tadoba is a range full of dusty roads, bamboo plantations, serene lakes and some wild trees and getting transported to a different zone is common. While I was lost in the thoughts, the tour guide told us, “Tadoba national park was announced as a tiger reserve in the year of XYZee. The name Tadoba was given as King Taru had killed some tiger in this area”. And, the anecdotes continued more like a monologue. At first I tried to hear but then I gave up. By now, we’d reached the middle of the jungle and a jeep crossing by announced the sighting at “Pandarpauni” or something like that. Suddenly the plodding jeep roared and we reached the spot. There were about 15-16 jeeps standing bumper to bumper to watch the site. “’Yeh Maya ka baccha hai” said the guide. On enquiring I realized that the cub was 2 years old. Comparing it to a 2 year old human kid, who would literally be in pampers, it felt like a fully grown tiger, having ability to instill fear even in a fully grown human.
There is really a reason why these tigers, are called “Royal Bengal Tigers”. They walk in a pompous manner, with every stride showcasing an aura on the surroundings. So much so that, not just the human visitors, but the fellow animals take notice. There were plethora of calls (Call is a special sound which animals make, to communicate danger, mostly a tiger sighting) from every possible corner. The place where the tiger was seen, was a river bank and the only thing separating us from him was the river. It quietly descended and drank water. A few monkeys were also watching this from the other side. A few were loitering around, playing with each other. Next moment the cub jumped into the water and swam across. I had watched swimming in Olympics and heard of Mr. Phelps doing wonders. But swimming like a Tiger is something else, slow yet assured. At the other end, the monkeys sighting the danger, quickly climbed the tree. Mother Monkeys, held their babies close to their bodies. What a state is “Motherhood”, be it an animal or a human, for mothers their kids come first. I was touched. Since all the monkeys, were up on the trees, the tiger must have thought, what a waste of an effort and it went off to sleep under the same tree.
Half an hour passed and there was no movement at all. Many jeeps traced back and went ahead to look for other sightings, already happy with what they saw. A few like us, who were hungry for more, waited. But since we had to head back before the evening gates closed, we also went back after some time with a heavy heart. The journey back home wasn’t eventful, except for the melancholy feeling left by the splendid “Tadoba” lake.
What had happened, once we left the place was interesting. Apparently, the way we assumed that the tiger had slept, a few monkeys did so and jumped to play off. The moment the closest one to the tiger jumped from the tree, the tiger roared and in 3 steps killed him. Only a few people witnessed this drama.
What surprised me was the text on a board placed at the Hotel reception.
Feb 09 – “Maya killed a Monkey”
Safari 2:
The most challenging part of this Safari was to get up at 5 am to be amongst the first jeeps to enter the forest. Somehow I managed, but once I was in the jeep, the enthusiasm was back. The quietly rising sun, the chirping birds, and slightly cold breeze made-up for the sacrificed sleep. The stories of “Maya killing the Monkey were afresh in my mind. I asked the new guide, “Was it Maya who killed the monkey yesterday”. “Nahi, uska baccha tha”, replied the guide sternly. I was startled, how the resort used “Maya” as their Marketing hook.
I had heard that the best time for a tiger sighting is morning, and we were hopeful to see the enigmatic “Maya”. “Maya dikhegi aaj”. “Bol nahi sakte sahib, but they do walk towards water bodies in the morning”. I secretly prayed for the sighting. The guide’s monologue began. “Tadoba was awarded the status of a national……and so on & so forth”. We wandered across the forest for more than an hour. We heard a few “calls” but no sighting. By 10 am the enthusiasm was gone, and we accepted the defeat. The way back from the jungle is through the tadoba lake and other side of the forest. An area ruled by Mayas sister, “Choti Tara”, who generally doesn’t entertain the paparazzi and lives a pretty low profile life in the jungle. Unlike “Maya”, there weren’t any stories of “Choti Tara”. And the call came, it wasn’t hoax this time. Far off we could see two tigers fighting with each other. A punch here, a roar there. What a site! They were the yet unnamed kids of “Choti Tara”. Another successful safari, but no sighting of Maya. The board at reception said:
Feb 10 – Safari 1: Tigers sighted from distance
Safari 3:
Now the patience had gone, and I wanted to see Maya. The instruction we gave to the guide were clear, “Maya or nothing”. Abiding by the rules set, the driver took us to an open ground- hunting ground for Maya. We spotted a place and stayed put there. The sight was mesmerizing, a landscape,, a battlefield ripe for the tiger to attack. Poor deer’s were grazing around staying close together. One of them unknowingly went far ahead and got lost in the grass. “Maya sits under that Jackfruit tree” showed the guide. The lost deer was headed straight in Maya’s den. While I wanted to watch her hunt, inside I was feeling sad. For my human pleasure, I had wished death for a poor animal. “Who was I to wish a sorrowful death for her?” I ignored the thought and waited anxiously and the roar came. Every one was stunned and each and every animal on the ground stood alert. I felt bad for the lost deer. Then came frantic calls from the lost deer alerting the herd. While we couldn’t see what made the deer give a call, but it was clear either Maya had attacked her or the deer had just spotted her. In few minutes, I saw the lost deer run towards the herd. What happened next, was quite unexpected. Within 5 minutes, all deer’s assembled together making a circle, protecting the young ones. They say it’s all in the instinct isn’t it. At one place, instinct tells the tiger to attack for food, while in others it gives way to stand together against the danger”. Half an hour passed and the herd moved away from the spot leaving Maya alone.
We were so close, yet we couldn’t see her. Maya had eluded us yet again. At the resort, we heard some of my colleagues did see Maya at a place where we didn’t go.
Feb 10-Safari 2: Maya spotted under the tree
Safari 4:
They say you get your best, when you are not expecting. This was my mantra for the last safari of the trip. Come what may, I’ll get soaked with whatever I see. I saw an eagle, Owl, Weaving bird, Crocodile, Sambhar, Deer, boar, spotted dove, kingfisher and so many colorful birds. Indeed I was consumed by the vast expanse and the mysteries lying in it when one guide said, he’d heard a sighting at Andhari. This was certainly getting towards an happy end. I said, “Maya” and the guide nodded.
The moment we reached the place, we saw 9 jeeps concentrating on one place through various lenses. As we reached, we asked fellow tourist, did they see. In came a enthusiastic response, “She walked passed our vehicle, and now is sleeping behind the bush”.
Soon, another jeep came and stood behind us. The other driver enquired with my guide. The reply astonished me. He said “Maya walked pass our vehicle and now she’s sleeping in the bush”.
I looked at him puzzled. And he gestured me to be quiet. For the next one hour there was no movement and we had to bid adieu to the forest.
Feb 11: Maya walked past a vehicle
On my way back I was feeling frustrated with the non-sense around Maya and the lies people spread. That time I decided anything which moves with a yellow skin with black stripes is Maya. But my mind said, “Hey that’s any tiger, but Maya, Maya’s different”.
Yes, Maya is as its name says magical. Literally it is nothing but an illusion. So much adept a name for a thing, which exists, but is constantly misinterpreted by anyone and everyone.What you choose, the illusion or the tiger, is your “call”
I chose to believe in it.
My FB status now says, “Romancing with Maya, you beauty”
W for Woman
Imagine you are holed up in traffic, trying to make it for that very important meeting and the signal goes red. 180 second’s reads the meter below the signal, in jarring red. Time freezes! And for the first time you acknowledge every second passing. A look around tells you that the car on your right is pooled, for seldom you see four guys in car behave like clerks. Their bespectacled smug face’s confirms the understanding. On the other side, there’s a husband who’s driving his wife home, a move to mend erstwhile domestic animosities. “30 seconds” says the signal and you can already hear engines warming up. Surprisingly, there’s no movement in the car in front of yours. “15 seconds” and your neighboring cars have moved ahead. Your earlier poised frame gets a frown added on your forehead. You yell, honk and yet no sign of the car moving. Now the signal is green and all engines are firing full throttle around, it’s just you who’s still holed up with the car in front of you. Somehow you manage to pass the car which got stuck. You see a miniature frame, helpless like a lost child, struggling hard behind the wheel and you smile looking at her. 8 out of 10 times, you’ll find woman behind the wheel in such situation. It’s surprising while they expertise in maneuvering life’s of numerous men, they find it difficult to maneuver the four wheels.
“Only two things drive this world, money and woman” said one of my friend. Let’s not talk of money, it’s an inflated thought, rather lets ponder on the later, it’s worth.
Many a times like mentioned above, you find men stuck with woman. So while you visit place of scenic beauty, photographing your better half becomes your duty. You wait endlessly till they strike a perfect pose for their perfect picture. So much obsession, just for that FB update. The 80-20 rule of FB says, 20% of woman profiles, hold 80% of the photos and 99% of the likes. Or take the case of shopping where you wander endlessly searching for that perfect dress. You’d be mistaken if you think, shopping for yourself is easy with a woman. No. First, you get insulted for the choice of shirt you chose. Then you are asked to try dozens of pairs, before she approves exactly the one, which you would have never bought. Think of a dinner date, you google for hour’s searching for that perfect place, she rejects the same saying its not well lit, “Photos won’t come good”. And even if she agrees, she takes so long, that you are already full with biscuits and other munchies. Think of directing a woman to a specific address, okay don’t. Sometimes it feels, living with a woman, is like waiting.
Today Mumbai has special trains, buses catering to them. While it is very convenient for the woman, it leaves men hanging out of the next train, just to catch up with the lost 5 mins. So much fuss about the “Woman’s day” There is no institution which celebrates the manhood, except for a few Saints like Jack daniels.
All this and much more, makes me think whether it’s time to really come to terms with a gender neutral world. But how boring it would be to attend school, if you didn’t have your first crush in the same class. How colourless the “fluid dynamics” class would be, without the mild fragrance of a woman’s perfume.
How difficult it would have been to go home without your special someone, after a day’s tiring work. Lastly, when you cook your own food, clean your own vessels and go to bed, without anyone to smile back or crib or fight. How difficult life would be without the ones whom you really care for – the woman in your life. They easily fit into any role you wish them to perform, be it a friend, mother, sister, boss, anything you name. And what do they ask in return, nothing.
“Somebody said, behind all accidents, there is a woman” said it right. If it’s an accident that I’m still alive, it’s because of a woman, who waited for 9 months pain to give birth and bring me up. If it’s an accident that I completed my education, it’s because of the woman who waited for my success amidst my falling grades. If it’s an accident that I’m writing this, it’s because of a woman, who is waiting for me to start writing again.
I really thank each one of you, for blessing my life. Happy Woman’s day. So next time, if a woman asks you to wait, please do so, as she would have anyone waited for you.
Dark side of me
Dark shades of me
i do indulge in thee
Definitely its a high
When the devil’s what i try
But then i wake up,
with blood stained hands
Yet some heart cries
as broken it stands
Guilt, regret, Shameful abyss
Moments of despair all it is
With darkness which haunts
and grey truths whch taunt
Dark shades of me
i find along
when i search
myself so long
’Sheol – The waiting place’’: My entry for the Get Published contest
The Idea
This is a story of an individual who is on a journey to a place called Sheol. The protagonist is an old man, waiting on a bus stop with his baggage. He’s unaware of his identity, his whereabouts and destiny. All he has is a baggage and a piece of message -. “See you at Sheol”. As he begins his journey he meets a young girl in a bus. Instantly they strike a chord, and we witness a start for their friendship. It’s like a déjà vu for the protagonist. At a particular stop, the girl gets down with her parents. The girl forgets about this incident and continues with her school where she has a very close friend. Meanwhile the protagonist feels hurt and leaves the bus at one juncture. On the other side this girl grows and along with it grows a tender relation with her best friend. But before any relation could materialize her best friend has to leave to take up his father’s vocation of cobbling. The girl too moves to her maternal uncle’s place. Here, she meets the old man again in a mela. Apparently the old man is settled in this town and cobbles for his living. Another odyssey begins while the old man and the now teenage girl spend time together. The story continues between the two friends and the protagonist; meeting in turns to each other as they grow. At every meet each one of them find, a new depth of love and affection, at each juncture they discover themselves. But the lost identity of the protagonist forces him to reach Sheol, to decipher the message and to find himself.
What Makes This Story ‘Real’
Many a times love is about growing up together, knowing each other. Its an end result of a journey of two souls. Its about discovering the true depths of our soul. This story is also about these two individuals who discover love over stages of their life. At every stage of life, love has a different meaning and this story is about discovering that meaning at each stage.
Endnote: This is my entry for the HarperCollins–IndiBlogger Get Published contest, which is run with inputs from Yashodhara Lal andHarperCollins India.
The 13th Day
‘’13th day’’: My entry for the Get Published contest
The Idea
Each one of us might have gone through a break up in life. These are typical stages of life, where we mourn of lost love, we reminisces of the good times, and all we do is think about it. This is a funny story of an individual, on how he copes up with his break up. It also is a narrative of his lost love and the good times he shares. The story starts when the news of her marriage explodes and what happens in the next thirteen days.
It’s a journey of all sorts of finding love, finding mistakes, forgiving and forgetting.
What Makes This Story ‘Real’
Break ups are part and parcel of growing up and each one finds his or her way to come out of it. Many funny incidents happen in such situations, which don’t seem funny at those stages. Typically we start listening sad songs, some turn to drinks. Some friends pour in advices, some just listen to your story. Many a times , we understand the true meaning of relationships in these tough times. This too is one such sad funny story of a break up.
Extract
“You’ve got mail” pops up on my computer. It’s from the id, which I’d been waiting for last 6 months. I see it for a while and open it reluctantly.
“HI, Getting married on 24th. Will you come?”
I had expected this sort of a thing; and the way I would react to it. But wasn’t expecting it happen over a cold mail. And hence felt like being caught unguarded.
As a natural reflex, I hit the reply button and say “Nopes”.
It was a pretty cold end to a warm thing like that. I had expected a more violent streak and an instant depression which would take me to an unknown abyss. But the day progressed coldly.
24th was Sunday, which meant I still had to go through the weekly targets. So I coldly moved on with regular chores. Engrossed in work and meeting deadlines, I didn’t realize that Friday had arrived. While signing off, I opened that mail again and I got the much awaited depression. I updated my FB status; “The profile has scheduled a depression till Monday, won’t be available till then”.
“This is my entry for the HarperCollins–IndiBlogger Get Published contest, which is run with inputs from Yashodhara Lal and HarperCollins India.”
Ek tha Tiger
“Never had he imagined he would get to see a tiger “live” in his habitat. But, there he was gazing at the tiger and the cubs, sitting on a mammoth elephant. Excited as he was, he fumbled with his gadgets, to announce, to capture, to see all at the same time. There was a eerie silence in the air, and as he focused his lens to capture the beast, came the roar. As he turned around, he saw a tiger running ferociously toward them, The jaw dropped and within seconds, the beast pounced and clawed the gadget. The elephant, however mammoth it was, stepped back on its rear feet. And there he was about to fall, in front of the roaring tiger. Somehow he managed to balance and come back. He didn’t speak for next few days. Its not easy, it takes a tough heart.”
Most of the tiger safaris start with such anecdotes. Ours too started the same. Infact with a lot of them. Many of these anecdotes were fictional and were the masalofied versions of hearsays. A few member who had been to safaris earlier, gave their bit of tips on what to wear and what to carry. A few just googled, and showered all knowhow as if being a born Gypsy.
With this knowhow, each and everyone started their bit of preparation for the safari. Sports shoes, were the first thing in list. Being from the white collar breed, we all were devoid of sports n activities, and hence of all the accessories which require to be a sport were to be bought. Most of them also brood on not having an SLR. For a sec, a few thought of buying too. But settled for those binoculars instead. A few planned for their “JUGAD”. I like this term “Jugad”, meaning make shift arrangement for a scarce resource. It can be anything from a cigarette, to a joint, to alcohol to the wildest of your imagination. The culturally better ones, though shopped for first aid, sun guard, hats, fans, napkins, antibiotics and what not….
And then the journey began. Mumbai to Delhi, Delhi to Corbett. A journey of imagination, an answer to the call of the wild. Soon we were at the Jim Corbett National Park. The resort had a nice wooden artifact with all info on Jim Corbett. Jim Corbett National Park. A park with 110 species of trees, 50 species of mammals, 580 species of birds, 25 different reptiles, innumerous deer’s, reindeers and monkeys. That’s what it read, and yet we were told it’s just a “TIGER National Park”. That’s the aura of the animal, that’s the respect he commands. The entire ecosystem here lives, breathes and works for just for them to survive. Each shop, each resort, each person in the village lives because of the tiger. Normally, Indians start conversation by “Kaise ho”…here it starts with “ Dikha? Tiger dikha?”. All depends on the siting of a tiger. The baksheesh of the driver and the delight of the passengers, lies in the sight of the tiger.
But this doesn’t mean, u find the animal at each nooks and corners of the Jungle. Our First safari went in vain, 8 gypies, went their own way into the jungle. The wildest thing they could see was a Monitor lizard, owl and an elephant plodding with his babies. There were innumerous deers and monkeys to be found at each corner. But all eyes were thirsty for the tiger. So no one acknowledged their beauty. And then we heard someone bark or shriek rather. The guide asked to stay alert. E told us, that it’s a these barking deers, sense the presence of the beast and intimate everyone. 5 mins of pin drop silence. Eyes and ears glued to each motion. A smallest breeze, would make us believe, that something moved past the grass. But nothing came for next 10 mins. And we decided to move. A few miles ahead, all we could see were some “footmarks” of the beast. So it was close. Our hopes raised that we would definitely find one soon.
Our jeep plodded through the jungle, through river beds, and dense trees. But there was no sign of the animal. Guess they had left for the day. The guide suggested to start in the evening, as the chances would be high, as the tiger would come near water bodies. Another false promise, and we fell for it. Hours went and all we could see were monkeys.
Next morning, we were told, the first jeep which enters the forest has the highest chance of a tiger siting. You know what happens, when you put white collared people to compete, everyone wanted to be the first and race began amongst the canters to reach the place first. But it was yet another false belief, the first canter didn’t get to see any tiger. All we got saw was “ Sir, yahan kal dikha tha tiger. Wahi river mein baitha tha”…”Sir..wahan parso dikha tha, soya tha”..”Sir, pechle hafte, mein yahan se jaa raha that oh meri gaadi k samne se cross kiya tiger”…By this time, we knew all this stuff was fictional and we heard with the same interest with which u see those Sci fi movies. Hearing everything…believing nothing.
Worst came when he said “Sir, you should have gone to the other part of forest. I heard there were 2 tigers seen in yesterday evening”. We replied,” Bro, we had been in that forest, for the complete day, and der was no siting. So please stop giving those anecdotes” Thereafter, we just moved through the forest. Everyone had by now accepted that tiger safari is difficult and a rare sighting. Its very easy how we accept defeat. And that’s how we behaved. At the breakfast table, there wasn’t anything to talk. Everyone was engrossed in taking their pics with the picturesque view. And then came the driver running, “ Bhaiya jaldi chalo, tiger dikha hai”. And we were like, “ Nasta nahi dena chate toh bol do, why r u creating false hopes”. He was like, chalo….and we went….
And I don remember what happened in next 10 mins. My mind, body and soul, all had become one. One to see the tiger. And the canter stopped. I woke up from the living dream. I saw outside and there it was. Sitting on the grass, not giving a f**k to the no of eyeballs gazing at him. These eye balls were of those, who deal in business which run in millions. Eyeballs so powerful, which can slay projects. Eyeballs whos attention if grabbed, serves as your visibility. And there he was. Not caring of the pedigree watching him. He was into himself. His act was similar to Ranbirs “Sadda haq, either raq”. Now I get the meaning of the song. Now I get to see , what means to be a rock star. In 15 mins, we were asked to leave. One more anecdote was added to the innumerous ones. Phones were dialed, statuses were updated, pics uploaded, files shared, a few printed and few just stored in their memories. Nothing happened on our return, if at all anything would have happened, it wouldn’t have been great then the sight of the tiger. I hope we are able to save the tiger from being extinct. We really need t give its “haaq” or it will fly away like the “Naadaan Parindeys”…
Pebble
Pebbles. You can find them everywhere. They are small, they are big, they can make way through waters or build hurdles on roads. When thrown in still water, they break your reflection. You throw them on a mirror, it multiplies your reflection. Some build castles with them, some throw them in riots. Pebbles they are, pebbles they will be, used and thrown, at will of others.
But, what are they after all? A few particles of sand; White, black and brown; but still they are just particles of sand. Sand which is smooth and soft to your feet. Sand which moulds itself to build mansions for childrens, and lovers to carve their names. Whatever the sand creates, is taken away, by the sea waves which never sleeps.
And this continues till a point when the sand gives up and starts getting together. Together it believes it can fight the sea. Together it feels it can stand tall against the roaring waves. So it comes together, initially with a weak bond, but the winds of change, make them hard. And one day, one day the pebble is born. To be used, to be thrown, at will of others.
All this hatred in the pebble comes from the sea. The sea which opposes each n every idea of the sand. The sea which destroys the dreams of sand. The sea which washes out everything which the sand had.
So whom will you punish? The pebble or the sea….
Hatred isn’t inborn, it’s been created by others and used by others at their will.
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