Kacche Dhaage

I don’t know if I’ve told you about this guy who keeps sending unsolicited forwards, but here’s a very interesting thought he sent the other day – It's a wise man who lives with money in the bank; it's a fool who dies that way...


My neighbor expired on Friday . I wouldn’t have been too shaken if the circumstances hadn’t been so dramatic.


He was a lovable chap, roughly around 56-58 years old. Always dressed in his long chaddis and a white banian, he sat watching TV with the door wide open in the evenings. Whenever we used to walk up to our flat, he used to smile and say hello, not bothered about his attire or posture. I also remember him as he returned from work, straddling his daughter’s rickety yellow scooter. Quite a merry man...


The circumstances I’m talking about are this... He and his wife have two daughters, both married off happily, one abroad and the other right here. While the daughters have a few years between them, both of them happened to get pregnant and deliver a baby girl on the exact same day, a few hours apart on different parts of the globe. While the mother went to tend to the elder one in Canada, the dad stayed with the other daughter and her grandma in Delhi.


Thanks to the internet, they shared experiences, feelings and pictures, and were due to meet soon as both new mothers had completed their interlude. His wife landed on Saturday dawn, but she was a few hours late to say a final goodbye to her husband who departed Friday evening. Massive heart attack. His local daughter says he was over excited to see his wife and other daughter. I wonder what his thoughts and emotions were...

Life is so unpredictable. Senior folks past 80 continue to live like death has forsaken them, while youth and middle-aged people have their lives cut short by fate. Is this fair? Is this how it was always meant to be? That while we are anxious about road mishaps, people die at home without a flutter?


I've heard so much bad news last year related to babies and pregnancies... I wonder why destiny is playing such games. Have people really erred so much??


(Just like I do whenever I hear “Hey Ram, Hey Ram... Tu hi mata tu hi pita hai...” That was the song that was going on when I went to offer condolences at a family friend’s demise. How things get associated...)


Blood relations are sometimes not as strong as relations of the heart, which is often why friends and neighbors rank higher in the priority list versus relatives. Maybe that's why their misfortune and deaths affect us more...


Also a Dad, who doesn’t let his teenage son walk 1 kilometer to the school alone. The car plies up and down to lug the brat, even as the Dad orders another’s child to ride alone 20 kilometers in the dense traffic all week for some work.


Even if the family is bickering away day and night, one cannot bear even a finger raised by a stranger on his/her family member. And that’s what makes it all the more special... (I don't quite know how a spouse who comes in a few weeks ago can be obeyed meekly by the guy who yells incessantly at his concerned parents, but that's how it's meant to be, I guess...)


Well, I don’t know where I’m heading, but now that this post is so all over the place, I might as well put all my thoughts in...


Each person is a different individual, with his unique temperament, ambitions and principles. That is why we end up in conflicts. Coz one’s laziness is another’s concern, and one’s life is voluntarily not his own to live and direct...


Thank you for reading.

Wedding Traditions Around the World

Here are some cute wedding traditions from around the world. Found them on the web... Enjoy!

GERMANY : Stealing the Bride
At her wedding reception, the bride is stolen by the best man, who then carries her away to a local pub. The groom has to search for them and pay for all their drinks when he finds them!

(Now that's on helluva idea! Hic hic :D )

GREECE : Baby Rolling
A baby is rolled on the newly-weds' bed. This is believed to enhance fertility and happiness in the new marriage.

(Poor baby!! :-P )

IRELAND : Tokens of Love
An Irish man often gifts his ladylove a bracelet made of human hair. If she accepts and wears it, it shows she is linked to him for life. Some men also give their beloved a Harvest Knot made of straw (shown alongside), decorated with flowers or bells, to wear in their hair or around their neck.

(The second idea is so romantic!)

ORKNEY (A group of islands near Scotland) : The Blackening
In Orcadian weddings, the groom's friends ambush him and blacken him with a mixture of flour, treacle and feathers. The idea to make him look as drunk and messy as possible! He is paraded around town in the back of a truck, while his friends make a din so that everybody sees the groom's sorry state. The parade usually ends at the sea for washing up.

(LOL... Fun for everyone except the groom!)

RUSSIA : Head of the Household
The bride's mother hands the newly married couple a loaf of bread at the wedding reception. The one who can take the largest bite from the loaf will be the head of the household.

(Not fair! Men, with their massive mouths and disgusting eating habits, have an advantage. Boo!!)

ALASKA : Buying the Bride
The village elders must first approve a proposed marriage, after which the groom's family spends the next year arranging for the payment for the bride. They seek help from their relatives and assemble a house full of gifts. Once the bride's family accepts the offering, the groom must work for her family for one year; he has to do everything, right from hunting to chores around the house.

(Now that's one wonderful custom. Serves you men right, making the women run about the house!!)

ITALY : The Evil Eye
To ward off the evil eye the groom must carry a piece of iron in his pocket and the bride must wear a veil. At the end of the wedding day, in Southern regions, the couple shatters a glass or vase. The number of pieces predicts the number of years they will be happily married.

(Anything that helps.)

CHINESE : The Tea Ceremony
The couple kneels before their parents and ask for permission to marry.

(Decent... But hardly fantastic...)


You got any to share??

Silence

And then, Pinkoo asked Punkoo, "How you doing?"

"Fine."

"Hows life - your college , health, friend circle...?"

"Okay."

"Hmm..."

(Silence)

"Hows ur life - settled in the college and everything?

"Yeah. It's a very different experience, but I like it."

"Good."

"Hmm."

(Silence)


"So, Punkoo... Who's been giving you the strength to stay away from me?"

(Silence)

"Who's giving you the energy to be without me?"

(Silence)


Some questions are left unanswered...

Some relations end despite the love and commitment being evergreen...

What happens to the people?

Silence...

That invincible silence...

That Night

She paced back and forth in her backyard. It was almost dawn. The plan was to run away in the dead of night.They were going to elope!


It was final. They could not bear staying away from each other. They knew they would never be allowed by their families and societies to marry. And while they did not want to shame their parents, they could not bear to spend their separate lives unhappy. No, some things had to be done whatever the price. And as long as it involved the two of them being together, no price was too high to pay. She was sure. He was certain. The rest would work out. In time. They were confident.


She muttered to herself. What was taking him so long? Someone or the other could come by any minute and ask her what she was doing outside so late at night. They would look at her bag and wonder. It would not take them too long to figure out. True, they would not know who the guy was; she had ensured that she never made any direct reference to him. But that was a minor detail. Running away from home was the greater sin.


She looked at her cell phone. It was almost three quarters of an hour over and above the appointed time. Drat! Trust him never to make it anywhere on time! Not even on this momentous occasion! This was ridiculous. How annoying could he be!


Uh oh, but here was another problem. In her excitement, she had forgotten to charge her mobile phone. It had just one bar of battery left. Another couple of minutes and her cell would conk off, leaving her lost and confused.


Her heart raced. She could not believe all of this was actually happening. She was worried about how it would all end.

Her battery was almost dead. She thought she would switch it off once and switch it on again. This sometimes increased the battery life by a couple of minutes.

Switch off.

Wouldn’t switch on.

Pressed harder.

Still dead.

Panic.

She pressed the power button a little harder.

The battery came to life.

Relief.

Tweet tweet… Sms!

“Hi baby. I have lost my way. But I know I am just a minute away from you.”

Anger. Darn his screwed up sense of direction!

The battery conked off again.

The sound of an engine being killed reached her. She was terrified. Who could it be at this hour?

She slunk to a corner waiting for whoever it was to go away. She hoped nobody would catch her.

She tried to switch on her handset again.

The cell powered on. Whew! She better find out quickly where this guy was philandering in the night.

Tring tring…

“Babes I’ve been trying to call you for the last five minutes! Where are you?”

“Right here, waiting. Where are you?”

“At your door! Come out fast!”

She ran out, not even bothering to cut the phone.

There he was… Grinning in his usual, stupid way.

She hugged him.” I thought you’d never come!”

“Oh baby, I took a wrong turn. I couldn’t find your house…”

“Ok enough talk! Let’s run before we’re caught!”

Vroom….

Aah… Was this what was called ecstasy?

She felt ecstatic.

Insan(e)

People never cease to amaze me… First of all, thrs this unflagd race goin on all the time at every signal on every street… Whats d hurry buddies? wat m sayin here is ppl come in all shapes n sizes, n v often make mistkn jugdmnts abt them… There are those who I don’t think are worth a 2nd glance, yet they bcum an integral part of my life thnx to their luvly nature and adorable behavior... And then thre r those I wish to meet a million times before it gradually dawns upon me that they’re nuthin but a bucketload of s***. I‘m sure u’ve experiencd d same.


We r so immature na? We let go of our rationality and get blown away by emotions and intuitions. When we hit Mother Earth, v realiz how silly v wer to b taken for a ride. V vow not to be so gullible n foolish d next time, but r v realy successful? I doubt it… Really admire those folks who can live happily and carelessly, not botherd by how others behave and nt affectd by wats goin wat way…


Other than dat, there r 2 ppl who surprised me… one is a sweet little (literally) person who I dint think much abt whn I met him 1st, but now it feels as if I’v known him all along. He makes me very very happy n I luv spending time wid him. Attitude lik was I’v alwes adored, gives me praise n priority which leaves me little to ask for, and well, how shal I say? Jus abt evrythin I’d dreamd about… God pland for us to meet n v did, but I wish v’d met sooner… he undstds me betr dan I can say, n I can read his mind. We laugh together, v share joys n sorrows (ample of both), but life is much happier n content thanx to him…


The other one is one I have gr8 expcttns from… Smart, decent, ambitious, sincere, simple, consider8, unassuming... thot he’d be an amazing person to stand by for life, but ego raisd its dirty head n made life ugly… but still we are really good frnds :)

I duno how my relations wid these people will chng over d days, weeks, yrs… But I certainly wont forget thm ever… I can forgive, nt forget…not d guds, nor d bads… Dats life, aint it? Full of lessons and experiences… Wid each person I meet, I gro as a person, regardless of whether I like him/her or not, whether I keep in touch wid him/her or not… So far… to be good to those who cant return d favor… to be happy… To not expect… N life is indeed feelin good… who says happiness lies outside you? It’s within, jus delve a lil deeper…

These are a few of my favorite things...

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens, Brown paper packages tied up with strings......
... These are a few of my favorite things

(Sound of Music)

Charming poem! Though I like the above, I would still like to mention some of the MORE favorite stuff ...

Barnita ;)know this girl ? She’s cool and funny and sensible. She can only listen to your worries but terrible at solving them , and she’s not afraid to tell the world what she wants and what she hates,she’s one of my favorite people!!

Blogging & Bowling - The former I needn’t justify or describe. It’s just ME. The latter, well, I ain’t too great at it, but I do manage to clear the aisle once in a while!

Chocolates - Being a girl... But hullo! Even men freak out on chocolates. And this guy I know is crazy about MILKYBAR...tough I hate Milk Chocolates ..More in love with dark chocolates :) Umm, I like most Cadburies including Dairy Milk and Perk.And Ferrero Rocher and Lindt among the foreign ones

Glasses – (NOT my specs, puhleeezz! I respect them, but they certainly don’t feature on my “likes and loves” list). I mean the cutlery and crockery stuff. Elegant wine glasses and cute shot goblets, colorful plastic tumblers and exquisite champagne beakers. (Dunno the jargon, kindly excuse and educate!) I find them marvelous and I’m gona have an entire collection once I have my own house and showcase!

Hookah (or Sheesha) - Not good for health, but good for kicks and style! Not recommended if you’re under 18, but you sure will love this lounge-y feel and care-a-damn ambience.

Ice-cream – No explanations again! I love chocolate..vanilla with hot chocolate sauce... STOP DROOLING OVER YOUR KEYBOARDS, FELLAS!!! (Slurp, slurp! Gotchaaaa...)

Karaoke – Sing as the lyrics are flashed on screen. No sweat if you don’t remember the lyrics as long as you know the tunes... Go on throaty, ugly-sounding buddies and bathroom singers! Find out which pub in your locality has a karaoke night on the cards and introduce the world to your irresistible charms! Why suffer alone???!!!!

Life & Laughter –I don’t know how people end their lives. Suicide, according to me, is a moment of extreme courage and at the same time, an instant of severe Cowardice. To lose all hope and not think about the future (which none knows what holds for you) is by far the stupidest thing on my list. I love life, and I live it once. Give it your best! No regrets... And what's life without laughter? The best way to judge a person's spontaneity and integrity is to see the things he laughs at and the manner he laughs. This will betray what you can never know by the way he speaks or behaves...

Nostalgia – Thinking about old times and reminiscing about events gone past is sucha pleasure! (Not when someone else just doesn’t stop yakking about “how popular I was in college”). Sharing lives and reflecting about how one has spent his/her years is a great way to kill time, and also to make it come alive!

And that brings me to the end of my list! I’m sure I’m gona remember a dozen other things by the time this post is published, but well, whoever said this was my last?!!

Human or Humean?

We all are mean sometimes. Probably because we're humans, right? We all want somebody to understand us. We all want people far away to miss us and say that. We sometimes, just sometimes, deep inside, want people to sympathise with us. Is that selfish of us? [ I don't know why I'm writing this.] We want a shoulder to cry on. We want to be dependent on somebody but NOT realise that. We want to cry and secretly wish that somebody could see us then and console us. We want to speak eveything out in front of somebody, cry, and then end up being happy coz we've vented it all out. [I still don't get the logic.]

P.s- This is what was written on a piece of paper I found while cleaning my drawer. God, I was born philosophical. :P

That unlikely father...

He played with me.
He tied my laces for me.
He helped me get over with my leg pains.
He told me stories at bed time.

My father was the best thing that could have ever happened to me.

A father beside me…always willing to answer my weirdest questions, at any hour in the night.
I was a lost, dreamy kid who got the wildest dreams in the whole universe. But of course, my father was always there, when I used to suddenly wake up at odd hours, and cry out to him.
He was interested in knowing what had troubled me, and then I would blurt it out to him, about how a cow had threatened me to snatch away my food and force me to gulp down its dry bread crumbs in exchange.
It didn't really bother me how he reacted to my tantrums, but the fact that he used to bear with them all, was enough.

He used to buy me ice-cream whenever I asked for them. And of course, our outings were incomplete without a snack or two…
Life seemed perfect with my father.


Mom was there obviously, but that was different. With dad, it was always, all about me. What I like, what I love, who I like, who I adore.

THE most important part of my life. He was all that mattered to me.

And one day, he just vanished.
(Barnita Haldar )

Men and their Balls

You sure know what I’m talking about, and you sure have seen it (probably even done it, if you're a man!) yourself.

I mean, what’s with you, guys??? Just WHY do you need to keep touching your crotch like that in public places in fronta a hundred people???

You think us women got no problems when we wear teeny-weeny thongs and fancy, uncomfortable bras??!!! But we do get by, and so can you...

I think you do it on purpose. Coz you know it irritates and repels us. (I mean attracting us is perhaps the most I important thing in your list, but to attract attention is a greater priority. Which you can’t achieve by being noble and gentlemanly and sweet. So you take the easy way out. And then you do this. To display your dirty intentions and foul attitude and filthy disposition. Grrr...)

Another addition to the freak things are eunuchs (also called hinjras). I’m mighty scared of them. I know they’re born a particular way, and I know it’s not their fault. But hell, why do they behave that way??? (Thankfully not with the ladies.) Touching them and calling for their attention and cajoling them to give money, and then doing weird stunts when they refuse, sometimes even when they give in!
I freeze in terror and fear when one walks past me, or pauses if I’m with any guy. It’s a grisly situation, knowing that one isn’t counted as normal and “one-of-us”...

And the beggars! Offooo... Li’l kids running around on main roads peak traffic and signals, either touching with their hands or doing some antics or thrusting their baby brothers and sisters at riders... Or deformed, eccentric adults cheesing you off by making a show of their handicaps. Gross gross gross! humans exist only in movies

Now, I know most of you guys think I’ve this blog primarily for male-bashing purposes, but that ain’t true. I do admire the masculine gender for being very resourceful, fun-loving and for keeping secrets. (Would it be proof enough if I told you almost 70% of my good friends till date have been guys?) So, don’t consider even for a moment that I belong to the men-haters club. In fact, i prefer the company of men over women any day simply coz they are available, they do not pretend to be super-busy or hyper-popular, and they are low maintenance. A beer and a smoke and you can sit and chat for hours on end about silly, inconsequential matters. Sigh, life’s so easy!

(Plus there is no expectation about doing the housework . And you can roam around topless. And no chummssssss!!!! Boo hoooo... Wishing for the umpteenth time I was a man!!!)

(But then, maybe not...)

I guess, it's all for the best!
(Barnita Haldar )

And the reason is You...

She liked him. He liked her.

Was it love? Both of them did not want to know.

They looked lovely together.

Neither knew what would happen later, but they were content with being with each other for the present. The haze which loomed in the future did not eclipse their laughs and chemistry. Life was good.

Some relations only give joy, and others only sorrow.

They sat huddled next to each other on the sofa. A few common friends occupied the chairs in front of them.

He wrapped his arm around her waist. He looked at her and smiled. The tenderness in his eyes made her forget that she had ever been lonely.

He stroked her hair, he held her close. He could not bear her moving away from him to greet another friend. He felt so nice with her, so complete, so much at peace.

They looked so much at ease together. They had eyes and ears only for each other, and their hands did not part for one second.

Is love only manifest when two people decide to tie the knot? Is love only true when two individuals vow to live together for life?

What about those who stay united in their hearts despite the million miles and thousand traditions that separate them?

He was so right for her. This man, who understood her , fulfilled all that she had ever desired. Jolly yet mature, naughty yet caring – he was a little more than perfect. What wouldn’t She do to have him forever?

The atmosphere was rocking. The music was terrific. She felt a little tipsy . She was content. Contented that there was a guy in this world who not just adored her and wanted to be with her, but could also manage to keep her happy. She seemed to be asking for too much by wanting this from her self-proclaimed “lovers”. This guy was sweet, this guy would have been just right for her if only…

SHE IS RIGHT FOR HIM ...
(Barnita Haldar )

What I've learnt so far...

What I've learnt so far is...
That no matter how much I want something, I will only get it if it's meant/destined for me.

What I've learnt so far is...
That beer, vodka, tequila, whisky, gin, wine and rum cannot replace the high or the necessity of water.

What I've learnt so far is...
That I can spend all my time and money on friends, and yet the first folks to reach me in my need would be my family.

What I've learnt so far is...
No matter how much I try, some people are going to dislike, misunderstand and abandon me.

What I've learnt so far is...
The best things in life may not be free, but nor are they always bought with money.

What I've learnt so far is...
That a baby's smile and a warm hug can pacify the mightiest and the angriest.

What I've learnt so far is...
Education does not teach you everything, but it counts regardless.

What I've learnt so far is...
That people should be given advice, and then set free to make their own choices and mistakes.

What I've learnt so far is...
There can be 100 rules, but there are 101 ways to break them.

What I've learnt so far is...
Close relationships die when individuals stop sharing their true feelings and needs.

What I've learnt so far is...
That there are times when one wants to cry, to be left alone, and they should not be disallowed.

What I've learnt so far is...
Sometimes you (un)willingly say goodbye, and sometimes you never get the chance.

What I've learnt so far is...
My heart will NEVER listen to my head.
Nor will yours... if your heart is genuine :-)

What I've learnt so far is...
No matter how much I learn/write/know, there shall always be more.
The day I know EVERY thing, I shall not be alive to share it with you...

But, I'm here now, and I shall keep sharing about everything I DO know till I can :-D

(Barnita Haldar )

Explore And Stunt Yourself

It always amazed me that, there are all kind of people
in this world.

People who are Genuine ,People who are
not, and people who think they are
but are actually not .

People who mull and don't
express, and people who think
and feel and don't verbally/directly convey.

people who are nice,selfish,
funny,simple,fake,
generous and those who are plain confused

Damn,where does God
keep all this molds and casts ??
Even with every human having 7 lookalikes around the world,I bet none of
them are identical in their mannerisms and attitudes..!

Point Noted- But how would we know what an individual is like ??

Do we judge him by the way he behave ?
Or the way he pretends to behave ?

Do we judge him by his clothes and speech ? Or by the way he treats things
and people around him ?

Do we judge him by what he says about himself ?
Or by he way he sends out
vibes and impressions ?

No child play, eh ?

I am not afraid to say that
I've often made mistake
in judging people.

(Don't give me that the bullshit that you don't judge people , All of us do. We may not say it out loud or even to ourselves ,but we just form an opinion and sooner or later confirm/ modify it )

For example -I thought this boy was cold and hateful ,Turns out that He really a wonderfull person ,Completely trustworthy and sensible.


I could give you so many illustrations where
individuals with funny reputations have been
excellent friends and human beings.
And also situations where those
that we trust and expect from,turns us down
and starttle us with their
self centerdness and undependability .

What do I say ..its quite an interesting exersise
to try and understand
how people are and how
it relates to what they
portray...

So , how are you
Or Shall we say...
Who are you ..

Explore yourself ..!!
(Barnita Haldar )

Confused Love

I am feeling so confused
I don't know what to do
I know I really should
Just walk away from you ,
But to do this
My heart will break
Cuz then forever we would be apart

You are not mine
This I know
But it doesn't stop
The feelings I have grown

You are more than
Just a friend to me
And in your heart
I wish I could be

I would love you
Till the end
On me you could
always depend.

What do I do
I wish I knew
Why cant I just
Walk away from you

I am selfish
This I know
Its just because
I want you so

Are you confused
Just like me
Do you also wish
It was meant to be

It is hard
But this I know
I really don't want
To let you go

You have a life
That I cant share
But how I wish
That I was there

To ease your stress,
let you know
I care love you forever
And always be there

We both know
IT would be wrong
But in each other
Arms we belong

So until we meet
We just carry on
Knowing there feeling
WIll STILL BE STRONG .

(Barnita Haldar )

Journey

From carrying a universal register in our bags to wearing pretty pink clips . .
From wearing translucent leggings in winters to boys checking out the shiniest legs in the corridor
From being chinwags to hating them!
From having dreams divorced from the reality to being non-conformists . . .
From being overnourished with sarcasm to writing truncated answers in exams . .
From bursting crackers to spilling colours . .
From keeping our couch always open for those friends kicked out of the house to getting our asses kicked!

From being pitch perfect to being boorish.
From settling old scores to mocking those who are phoney . .
From cracking sad jokes in class to cracking the ones hard to understand.
From prompting answers in class to pretending to be perfect in all the lessons . .
From saying "I EXACTLY KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING" to saying "DONT TRY TO ACT SMART WITH ME" :')
From bunking classes to counting the days we were actually present a day before our PTM..

From strictly sticking to out staple Fx diet to gulping every bit of food in other's tiffins. .
From begging for finance in the canteen


From being the BEST to being what we really are made of . .Or so we are told and we are completely okay with it!
(Barnita Haldar )

Moments of Durga Puja captured

Barely few hours left  before the Durga Puja .The festive has stuck an electrifying mood all over the devotees  . The decorated homes ,buy gifts for friends and relatives and new cloths for themselves .The shopping malls and markets are totally packed up from one month before the festival . The youngsters take this opportunity to buy anything and everything .


The puja is celebrated for 5 days commencing from 6th day of navarathri and ending on the 10th day .The preparations start before a month .The whole atmosphere is filled with energy and enthusiasm.
The idols of Lord Durga , Lord Ganesha ,Lord Kartik ,Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Saraswathi are prepared . On Mahasashti day , the life of the Devi is brought from the nearby pond or river in a banana tree and established inside the image . This marks the commencement of Durga puja . The pandals erected throughout the state attract all the people . The decorations are made and every year new designs are introduced . The drum known as Dhak starts it beat with its majestic rhythm from Mahasashti day.


Durga puja , the Bengalis wear new cloths ,shoes , jewels . Everywhere cultural programmes are organised throughout the day . Special dishes are prepared and distributed to all . Durga puja for bengalis ia all about fun , frolic and food . The festival is never been considered without good food .
On Mahadasami day , the Idol is taken out of the pandal ina  grant procession , during evening .

Everybody walks towards the bank of the River for immersing the Idol .
Thousand of people will be seen on that time . Happy Puja