A Byte of Life

Growing up, I would listen to tales of how, the sky was one big blanket that was shared by everyone. I remember being fascinated by this concept, and fantasizing, how everyone pulled, to get a comfortable cover…and coming to the conclusion maybe that’s why there is a day here, and night in another part!

Taking a walk along the Ganges the other day, I had the same feeling of being “One.”  People from all walks of life were mingling as if one, some were taking a bath, others resided there, and for some it was their place of business. The quiet charm exuded by the place, the simple lifestyle, and the old buildings standing staunch witness to the transition lulled in a string of peace that I had been seeking for some time.

Shaping it differently

The kaleidoscope of images, started with a walk through the potter’s lane (Kumortuli). The sight of half finished sculptures, molds of figurines, completed figurine –all set to dry, and the creators, in their humble attire, working on these idols. The magic of creations softly passed you by, almost missing you.

Down another lane, across the rail tracks, and we were at the bank of Ganges. Boys and men attired in cotton saffron hued dhoti, with red and white markings on their torso and legs were preparing for the ceremony at dusk. The various temples lining the banks were filled with the hum of people. The smell of incense, mingling with the warm slightly bitter smell of water and dirt, beckoned you to explore a different way of life, in the middle of a bustling city!

Silent witness

The stout colonial architecture, now in ruins, and in a state of disrepair are the witnesses of the transformation that has taken place, yet is standing on the threshold. The pigeons flocking in abundance all over, whispers a story of hardship, yet simplicity...lives wrought with poverty, but standing strong on belief! A place, where a carefree dive into the Ganges, worming your way by the boats is fun: that far exceeds the comforts and digitized entertainment option. In the approaching twilight, perk up as the sounds of conch shells celebrate a way of life that is fading away slowly.

As the sun is about to set, the breeze tells you night is about to fall, the brilliant glint promises a new tomorrow!

Tale(ing) Time

Returning home, through the old lanes of Kolkata, by the crematoriums, I chanced upon a small watch repairing shop. A chat with the owner, revealed a dwindling legacy of three generation.  Old grandfather clocks, to skeletons of long extinct wall clock models, spoke of the time that was gone by. Started three

generations earlier, this shop is one of the few remaining watchmakers in the city. The barren brick peeping out of scaffolding, in this small room tells you a tale of an era not quite gone by.. hanging by a single thread of a robust past...lost!

Next time you feel down, imagine the sky as one blanket, encompassing all, small pockets of lives that still thrive in different nooks! It will fill your heart with warmth, and wonder, which far exceeds the bytes of this digital dynamic age!

French Fry!

Sometimes in life we find ourselves missing the things, we weren't even sure there was to miss in the first place. Musing about a recent problem that had cropped up, I suddenly became aware that I wished I could share this. Weird...as I was not a person who was given to doing that. Was it my emotional state that brought on that feeling? I wondered...

A different dish...over baked or under cooked? That is the question...

Emotions have a weird way of transforming a person, a quiet person suddenly lashes out at the minutest thing...he/she was disturbed. A very impulsive person, may show an unexpected show of character that could prove to be very vital in a moment of crisis! So, what went wrong or right? Why did a rational person display such irrationality, or how did an impulsive person, show such depth of character?

We all are quick to judge the actions, conducts and behaviors of those around us. We even spent a lot of time thinking what a shrug, a laugh or a frown could possibly mean. But in the wake of all these, do we actually give something called a "benefit of doubt?"

There is never smoke without fire!

That is possibly the reason that stops us from giving a benefit of doubt. We assume that since these are the

facts, that is being stated it has got to be true. In 90% cases, studies have shown that we tend to follow the norm of society rather than think radical. The few who do, are soon converted over, which is seen as a further endorsement of the plaintiff's sin. Others, well they are accomplices, or plain freaks!

The judgement: spoiled dish!

Yes, tried and convicted before a fair trial. A popular method where the media is played by the prosecution/defense to set the groundwork for a trial. The same principle applies to daily lives...Oh! I saw her with a guy the other day, must be her new "victim" ...or dear lord here comes the weirdo, lets move before he makes a stupid comment. If you even think of giving someone a chance, you are automatically subjected to jabs. and soon the "reputation" is more important than anything else. And, you give in and turn your back. Even the most ardent loyalist, shirk around and refuse to stand by you!

Save your skin, but don't fry others

Scorned... smirked and thought of as a philosophy that dates back to great grandmother's era! It is more than likely, that such thoughts would be ridiculed, and termed totally irrelevant to present times. The question is reputation or loyalty, and the triumphant winner is the former. Tackled intelligently, the latter need not be a loser at all. Rather than a tussle, can't the two be made to co-exist?

So, what's the perfect recipe?

There is no perfect recipe, my grandmother would say! You learn to go with your instincts. What if the smoke clouds the judgement? The smokescreen is what you feel within, stand up for that...turn up those difficult corners, let them cook, you'll know when the skewer comes out clean, that it is well baked! Blindly following a recipe, never did produce the desired dish. In fact some of the most popular winners, have been accidents. So, go fry your own French Fry!!

Not Dolls!

While browsing through the various newspapers yesterday, I came across the hue and cry over the suicide of Ram Singh, one of the accused in the grotesque Delhi case that has shaken the nation to the core, since the inception of this year.

Now there are various misgivings regrading what is considered as sexual harassment, rape. The substantive Indian law apparently states that: "sexual intercourse without consent." Being limited to only a non con-sensual sexual act does not do justice to the various other heinous ways of rape. The definition it seems is limited to merely violating the chastity of a woman, transgender or for that matter a man.

The question arises that what about penetration using other instruments, not limited to penile intervention? While there are many international citing on this, unfortunately the Indian penal code is yet to revise this.

So definitely a call is needed to not revise the law only, but also to broaden the mindset. Girls playing with dolls, doesn't mean they are just that. The achievement of a girl cannot be limited to catching a good groom! All her other skills cannot be disregarded, just because she's not the legally bonded temptress. And, she cannot be undermined for her intelligence. If you want something foolish to do the housework god's sake, use your purse to find a maid, and a whore to fulfill your fantasies!

Delving a bit deeper, the root cause of this perhaps lies in the early childhood. Girls always play with dolls! not so, there are a number of girls who prefer cars. I though loved my dolls, was equally happy to play with cars, trains etc - in short the so called "masculine" stuff!! Growing up, every girl does not automatically outgrow the doll to land in the fantasies of kitchen, or sewing. Carpentry and pottery is equally alluring. The modern family then focuses on education, but somehow the intensity weans as the girl steps into the college. She's just expected to cross over, even the obsession with Engineering and MBA degrees is limited to suitable groom hunting priority than actually using the grey cells. Then comes the mid-twenties, when if a girl has not settled for a boy (please read engaged, married or hooked up) her shortcomings are discussed amid much wailing in social circles. The fact that she's accomplishing new heights in her career somehow takes a back seat. The same principle is applied when hunting for the "prefect match" the groom's priority criteria is bank balance and his work, a girls fair and beautiful! Unfair to both parties!