I choose Red Buses now!!

It was a Monday morning. The speciality of Monday in mylife is that I am always late to office on this day of the week. So, as usual that Monday too I became late to office. However on that Monday my preferences changed about the buses. What? Why? How? I will tell that shortly.

My husband dropped me at the Marthahalli bus stop and I had to take the bus. I usually travel in the Blue Bus, the one where you can find all kinds of people, starting from IT professional to the kid, from poor lady to the students. However, my husband would always insist me to take the Volvo Red Bus. I take Red bus sometime and not always. I had quite good experience in red buses except the fact that most of the time I had to stand in the bus for 2-3 KM, during the peak hours, and then I would get a seat some how. I always wanted to have a middle class life so that if life throws some surprises to me some day I would not feel so uncomfortable. So, I travel in all type of buses and try to explore the kind of service I get in each kind buses available in Bangalore city.

That day something really vexing happened and my perception and preference changed entirely. I was late to catch the bus to reach my office on time. I could not wait to catch a Red bus and got in to a blue bus. Unfortunately I got the last but one seat reserved for ladies. I took my headphones and tuned in to the Radio. Still I could listen to the stupid gossips people had. The bus was packed with the day workers. And they were talking loudly. Anyway.. who cares them.. I am busy with the nice songs.

A middle aged lady entered the bus and was standing. I thought I would give her my seat. Then looked around to see if there any place available for her to sit. I could see two guys sitting in seats reserved for ladies. I asked that lady to go and sit there. One of the guy did rise from his seat and offered the seat to the lady. And he sat in between the laps of the other guy. Seemed to me that they were friends. Just after that a couple of minutes passed like that in normal gossip.

A couple of more moments and things changes. Suddenly the ladies at my back seats got down of the bus as their stop had come. Then two guys sat behind me, the day workers. They started gossiping in loudly in their native language. They were shouting to the best of their voice. Initially I felt that they are fighting, and thus I looked back to them from the corner of my eyes. They stopped for a moment and then started shouting again. This time they started to laugh too. That's when I could figure out they are may be gossiping about me or may be on someone else or may be on every one. Not sure what they were talking. I started to listen to songs in full volume. Still I could clearly hear their voices. They afterward started hooting too. I started feeling irritated. They spoke to the driver too loudly. And the driver was laughing and responding to their talks.

I kept quite and continued focusing on the songs being played at the radio station. They continued with their comments, loud laugh and ridiculous whistles. Still my head had started aching and I started feeling pissed off due to the kind of behavior I was receiving. My husband's words echoed in my mind, "Take the Red Volvo. You will go with peace and you can relax there as you travel. Its just a matter of 15/- more than the normal busses. You can enjoy your music there too and you can take a glimpse of the news too. Don't be a Kanjoos and catch the Red bus." I did repent that day for why did I catch this bus when I should start my day with freshness and positive energy.

To add to my annoyance the bus driver instead of letting us get off at the Domlur bridge, took us to the Domlur bus stop. Unfortunately I had never got off at that place ever before that day. I felt like scolding him and shouting him. However, I just tried to make myself calm for my energy spent on scolding him is not going to affect in any way and it would go waist. Why would spend my valuable energy on such a nonsense and stupid fellow. So, I kept quite, got off the bus, wondered for a while which way to go in the butterfly bridge. I crossed the road and went to the otherside. As I was already late I took one the standing auto-rickshaw and started for office. The auto-rickshaw driver charged me 40/- bucks, which was 2 times the amount the auto-rickshaw drivers take for that distance.

It turned out the be a costly day. Instead of spending just 25/- I payed 50/- and I had experienced those ill-behaviours and got some stress along with it. I had some ill behaviors and bad experiences with the busses earlier. However, that day the kind of stress and irritation I had, I decided that I would not go by those blue city bus or the pushpak brown color busses. Now I go in the Red bus. Though the amount spent is more than the blue busses, but you get the nice breeze and place to relax and savor some music. And I use the time to read the newspaper. Thus, I have some more time to spend with my family now. I am happy with the Red bus service. The only glitch are, some time too much coldness + some time the alcohol smell from the conductor / driver. But, I can manage with these with a jacket + two cotton buds + a handkerchief with perfume in it. :)

Red is good... I had enough middle class life. Now its time to think bigger, dream bigger and live bigger. I enjoy my journey now. I wish you enjoy yours too.

Catch you in the next blog... Until then keep smiling...

♥ ~ Smile

My "Dost"

My "Dost".. He is not my friend, but is my husband. However, I call him "Dost" just to feel that I am not with the typical husband but with one of my close friend. [Note: Usually they dominate the wife. Well, exceptions are there, where the vice versa happens. My case is definitely not the vice versa one. Though I am not dominated all the time.. :)] This makes life a little easier and helps build and nourish the relationship in a better way.

Though I know him upto some extent in these few months' relationship, however, I thought of finding out few things from him in his own words, in his own way. After a lot of request and pampering finally he gave the answers yesterday. Wanna know what he has shared...??? Here we go...

A - Alcoholic?

No, but I like to drink occassionally with my friends and my colleagues.

B - Best thing about you?

Punctuality

C - Color that makes you feel great?

BLUE

D - Drink of your choice?

Scotch on the rocks

E - Essentials of your life?

Nothing that I know

F - Favorite pass time?

Sleeping... sleeping... sleeping...

G - Gayatri / Mili?

Mili

H - Honey / Sugar?

Honey; Sugar is bad for health... Who likes diseases?

I - Indulgence?

Sports

J - January / June / July?

Janemann

K - Ke-sa-ra sa-ra sa-ra

K for what????

L - Love's definition?

Love is complex

M - Marriage Date?

2009 May 12

N - Name of your ideal?

My Dad

O - Onion / Mint?

Oh my God!!

P - Passionate about?

About my work

Q - Question that you have in your mind about me?

Why her teeth are like that?

R - Reason to smile?

For I have got everything that I had dreamed about

S - Smoking is injurious to health?

Yes, it is

T - The testing times of your life?

One week when I first landed in U.S.

U - Unknown fact about you?

i. That I am not a gay

ii. That I am day dreamer about my future

V - Vegetable(s) you dislike?

Bitter gourd (Karela)

W - Woman (women) of your life?

My Mom; and my Wife (though I dream a lot about Kajol and Scarlett).

X - X-men / Cat-woman?

Halle Berry

Y - You would love to become?

Cricketer

Z - The power of Zero?

It is powerful for me. The more zeroes you add to the number the richer you become.

Catch you in the next blog...

♥ ~ Smile

Love is a temporary insanity curable by Marriage?

I recently attended the charter ceremony of Sound Bites Toastmasters club. We came across a table topic there "Love is a temporary insanity curable by marriage". The participants gave very nice and powerful thoughts on this topic. Some went for, some against, some were diplomatic and said it doesn't matter if its love or marriage.

The thoughts forced me to think over and over on finding the difference between Love and Marriage. Is there really any difference? If yes, then which is powerful amongst these two?

Through out the way to my home I was in my thoughts about these two powerful terms. I tried to find out the meaning of Love for me, in my life, in my soul. I could not find much difference. However, could find a deep correlation between these two.

A farmer loves his land, his crop. A mother loves her child. A child loves its toys. The bees love the flowers. We human love the aroma of the sweet nature. Peacock loves the black clouds. The trees love the sun. The lovers love each other.

We all have this deep necessity to love and be loved. It’s a way of expressing your care and affection. It’s a feeling that provides you power. Power to achieve, power to sacrifice, power to fight, power to cry, power to serve, power to expect, power to reach greater heights, power to understand, power to be understood, power to know each other, power to take a step ahead to know the unknown, power to discover.

Water boils at 211degree. Just an extra degree, i.e. 212 degree and it generates steam. This steam has the power to move the giant iron devil - the train. Love serves as that catalyst to bring that extra degree in yourself to run your mind and soul to achieve your heart's true desire. It gives you that courage to display your true and honest feelings for your love and loved ones.

You learn what sacrifice is only if you are in love with someone. That someone can be your best friend, your brother, your sister, your father, your mother, your colleague, your relatives, the orphans, and the old elder people. If you truly love someone then only you can sacrifice. Otherwise the ugly fungus called Selfishness will rule over you. And you lose even humanity in due course.

To build a good and strong house you need to build the foundation very strong. Only when the foundation is strong you can build the house without much trouble and struggle. Otherwise there would be hustle and bustle every now and then. Love is that foundation for any good relationship. Marriage is a bond between two committed people or thing to server each other with love. Love is the foundation, Love is floor, Love is the walls and Love is ceiling.

Marriage doesn't necessarily mean that two people follow the rituals and say we are committed. The commitment should come from within. Only when the farmer is committed to his harvesting field, he can get a good crop. That commitment can't be attained by force. You feel like committing, you may get married. However, that's not a necessity. You can still be in love and love each other and serve each other without selfishness. Rather marriage sometime sounds like selfishness. If there is even a minor glitch then you much get out of that commitment, cause that would not last. You must reinvent that relationship from a fresh perspective.

Now Love being insanity, is not something that my mind can crumble just like that. However, if I think about the rainbow then Michelle Sedas has said, its only when you welcome the rain then you can see your rainbow. So, why not have this insanity. It brings so much power, so much happiness. It showers you with so many attributes to live your life with. I can crumble the insanity part. But ‘temporary’; its no was temporary. I already spoke about that. It is the foundation, the floor, the walls, the ceiling. Without Love marriage won’t go a long way.

Marriage is like a vehicle and the wheels are made of Love, Love, Love and Love. Love for everyone related to that marriage. If the pressure in any one wheel is less, then the balance goes off. And you may ultimately drift to an accident; to avoid that you have to refill the Pressure from time to time. Again how come without petrol a vehicle would go. Yes, that petrol is trust and that trust again comes with the companions of Love, i.e. Care, Affection, Sacrifice, Understanding, Ownership etc.

Love can lead to a marriage. Marriage needs Love. Marriage is not something to cure Love; it is to grow Love. Love needs only Love to cure it.

That’s my definition of Love. What’s yours?

Catch you in the next blog...
♥ ~ Smile

Eve-teasers need to be stopped

Headlines of the day: Women abused in Mangalore in pubs by Ramsena party members. Two girls were harassed by in public in the new years evening. A British lady being rapped and killed, her dead body found in the beaches of Goa. Goa rapist capital of India? A girl harassed by a guy in the Patna market in front the public.

These were and are the news headline in several news channel across our country. It gives me goose bumps whenever I hear such news. I believe you too feel the same.

It was year 2006, a young girl with her friends was waiting for the local train from Vashi to VT station in Mumbai. She was very excited that after a long time she is going to travel to her hometown, to meet her family. Everyone was eagerly waiting for the train, for if they miss this train, ultimately they will miss the Superfast Konark train to their state.

After a long wait, from a distance they had the sight of the local train, what they saw changed their face expression from smiling to a state of panic. The local train was jam packed and there was not much space to even enter the buggies. Thus, every one decided they will enter the buggies in groups; no ladies buggy - no gents buggy to be taken care of. Just rush in to which ever compartment, comes in your front of you. Thus, they all did the same. One guy and one girl positioned themselves in front the buggy locations. Just as the train took a halt, everyone rushed in to the buggy struggling with the stream of people coming out.

Somehow they could manage to enter the buggy. There was no space for them to even breath properly. No one could even see each others face. Thus, it gave a great scope for the eve teasers to harass the girl. It started with pinching the girl to her waist in different places, then they started pulling her from different sides. As the girl struggled, the pace of the tease and harassment increased in double the rate. She was trying her best to protect herself, her clothes from the human vultures. Eventually she found it very hard to struggle with the numerous claws of those vultures with her two soft smooth hands. She tried her sharp nails to free herself from those evils. But, how many she can manage with those tiny little nails!!

She screamed for help. She cried. She remembered her Mom and Dad, and thought, "Why did you leave me here alone in this cruel world of these in-humans? What will happen to me now? What am I going to do now? How will I save myself now? Oh God!! Am I going to be raped now? How will I face my parents? Help! Help! Help me Lord Jagannath! Help me please!! Show me the way to get out this problem!" and she sat down in the floor of the buggy in that rush. However, still those guys pulled her clothes. She is helpless now! No power in her hands, no power in her mind any more. What is she gonna do?

In those few seconds everything flashed back; her mother dropping her in the station to go to Mumbai, her father dropping her in the building at Mumbai for her carrier to begin. When she was carried away with these thoughts, suddenly few old men tried pull her hand in order to make her stand. They said, "Hey daughter, please stand up. If you sit down they are going to trouble you more. Stand up and come to this side." They lifted her up by pulling her hands as she had no more strength on her feet. They made her stand and dragged her to their side and covered her from all sides.

They asked her to drop down at the next station, however, she replied, "No, I have to go to my parents. I have my train from VT station. If I miss this train, I can't reach there on time." She was feeling so embarrassed that she couldn't even look at those people, who saved her. She was shivering in shock that this happened to her. The next station, everyone dropped down and then there was no rush.

She could then go to VT safely. She reached VT and met her friends, but could not tell them anything. She was sitting in the train and was trying to control her cry caused by embarrassment, pain and shock. She called her mother and told everything. And then her mother informed one of her friends, who was a family friend too. She could not even dare to tell what happened to her to those friends who were accompanying her in the journey. Fortunately no such incident happened in their buggy. She was unlucky-lucky one that day. Unlucky  - cause she was harassed. Lucky - cause she came out safe.

She did not have the guts to tell it to anyone. She was feeling so ashamed of herself to inform this to anyone. It took more than a week for her to come out of that shock, that fear, that embarrassment. Then her life changed. Now, if she crosses a guy on street, she goes at least three feet away from their reach. Such is the effect.

Now, she feels scared to let her Sister go to some other state for her job, or higher studies. She is more protective of her sister now. Her parents are worried almost everyday. Unless she gives a call to her parents that she has reached home safely they are unable to sleep peacefully.

This is the situation of our society today.

I ask you, why can't we go and stop those evils when they harass girls in many ways? There were many young guys there in that buggy, who didn't do anything to her; they didn't harass her, didn't even protect or help her when she was suffering. They just kept their eyes, ears, and mouth closed. May be thought by doing this they can become Gandhiji's Three Monkeys.

Why is these things happening frequently now-a-days?

I am really worried about this. Last week me and my room mates were doing our evening walk, when two guys came slowly in their bike and suddenly the person at the back hit me hard and pulled my clothes and dragged me. Then they sped off in their bike and vanished. For a moment I was unable to react properly. We were in a cheerful mood, gossiping all the way and suddenly this happened.

I have thought really very hard, however, I have got no solution for this. According to me, all these are the effect of the mindless videos being watched by both old and new generations. Every penny we spend for such things, even if it is a download from internet, we are actually paying the money to the terrorists. Today, we females are the target of the eve teasers, we are the victim. But, the victim of tomorrow's deadly future is you, me and all of us.

Cause ultimately all these mindless videos are acting as the catalyst for evil side of human. And WE have to stop this. We need to stop people from using such nuisance things. We have to create the awareness about it in the minds of everyone; from the child to the adult to the elders. What I presented today is part of my responsibility for this awareness to the society. I request you all to spread this message in other clubs, in other get together as well.

I plea you all to please spread the awareness to stop piracy and to stop savoring the mindless videos. You are paying for your own destruction, you are paying for a war that's going to brutally kill you are family.

Think about it. Tomorrow the victim could be you or one of your own family members!!

Catch you in next blog...
♥ ~ Smile

Recipe for a Pure Environment [CC # 2]

Today we see pollution all around us. Dirty dark greasy pollution damages starting from our skin to our hair to our respiratory system etc. etc. etc. Our environment is really getting spoiled now.

I have a recipe to have a pure environment. However, its not about the one that is affecting just our external self. It affects our inner self too.

I am talking about the pollution, which surrounds us wherever we are, wherever we go. I am talking about the ill-feelings we have that cause inner pollution. Depression, Anger, Fear, Disgust – where are they generated from? They are not generated from our hands, legs, lungs, or respiratory tubes. These are generated from our thoughts.

One of the timeless truths of successful living can be stated as:

“Your thoughts form your world.”

To add more Earl Nightingale has rightly said, “You become what your mind thinks!”

What you focus on your life grows, what you think expands and what you dwell on determines your destiny. Life is a self fulfilling prophecy – it gives you just about what you expect from it. To add to it there’s a famous saying:

“Thoughts can make you,

                Thoughts can break you”.

So, given this principle the first step to become happier, a serene person is to manage your thoughts and purify your thinking.

I’ll provide you with 3 ingredients which would help you improve the quality of your personal environment.

Let me start with the first ingredient: It’s your Surrounding.

Our surroundings shape our moods, our thoughts and our dreams. Take a good, hard look at your surrounding because your thoughts are associated by the people you associate with, by the books you read, by the words you speak, by the food you intake and by your daily physical surroundings. I keep a flower or two in a vase next to my bed. That gives a fresh feeling; it helps me release my stress after the work hours.

Are you spending your time at work with negative people? Do your friends always speak to you that they are dissatisfied with their work life / married life? If so, they will eventually make you negative and cynical.

Are you watching violent TV shows or mindless videos at home? If so, your mind will grow restless and noisy.

Is the space you work in bright, colorful and inspiring? Over the coming weeks, I would suggest you to take steps to make the place you work and live in, a better one. You will quickly detect the improvements in the way you think, feel and act.

Now, the next ingredient is – Food.

The foods you consume affect your mood as well as clarity of your thinking. This is why the ancient sages ate light foods.

Just think, if you owned an expensive formula one race car, you would not think of fueling it with anything less than premium grade gas. Anything less would reduce its performance.

Then, why would you put anything less than the best food into your body which is even more valuable performance vehicle? Eating wrong foods in large quantity would reduce your energy level, affect your health and prevent your mind from serving you with its fullest. Every greasy lunch reduce your motivational level.

In order to boost your energy level and your mood is to getting into a habit of starting your day with a glass full of fresh juice.

“Jerry Maguire” – Tom Cruise in the character of Jerry Maguire is playing the role of a hard driving sports agent. And this scene is one of the memorable scenes where he has just signed up one of the hottest draft picks in football and as he drives away from the athlete’s home in a state of utter joy, impatiently searches from station to station in his car radio, for the kind of song he can turn up loud and sing along to the top of his lungs. Finally he finds it – Tom Patty’s hit “Free falling” and he begins to sing his heart out.

I hope you must have guessed it by now.

Yes, the third ingredient is – Music.

Now, do you remember those times when you heard just the right song at just the right moment? In those moments, you felt fully alive, full of energy and happiness; and all because a few chords strung together, in right sequence. Music can do that to you. It can lift your mood, put a smile back on your face and add immeasurably to your quality of life.

Get serious about listening to music that inspires you. Build a collection of your favorite pieces and play something that fills your heart with joy every single day of your week,

Now, I would suggest you to fuel your body with some fresh juice, your mind with some great music and some inspiring thoughts. These would help you to create a cheerful environment.

Now, I would leave you with a final thought,

“A first class environment is an investment and not an expense !!”

I hope you would relish my recipe. You can drop your comments, your feedback in the comment section. Would love to receive them. Would come up with more recipes very soon.

Catch you in my next blog...

♥ ~ Smile

Time Management after Marriage

Time Management!! I heard this term manier times when I was young and was bachelor. However, had never felt the importance... not just importance rather necessity of it in my life; until I got married. Life took a twist after marriage.. Don't confuse the twist with the song "Twist" from Love Aaj Kal movie. And there was "Change" in everything, everywhere. Be it office or be it home, be it friendship or be it hobbies, be it food or be it sleep. Everything faced the Change in it.

Now if we talk about life before marriage it usually has the following ingredients - not much responsibility, ample time for yourself, ample time for friends and family, ample time for your passion / hobbies, freedom to stretch in your office to work late hours.

On the other hand life after marriage brings along with it a huge Dowry i.e.- more responsibility (not just duty), very less time for friends and your old family, not much time for passion / hobbies (the 's' from hobbies is usually gone), no late hour working in office, not much time for yourself (for your soul).

I don't think there is much of description or any other detail needed to explain the situation. We all go through the similar situations. Now, the situation is almost same for both genders. You may feel as I am gender bias, however, I am not. As a female I know how much pressure is built on us. However, I also understand what pressures built on a guy's mind and guy's life.

It's funny to know that both the genders fear the term marriage. Different people have different reason for this phobia. We have the tendency to please each other. And thus, with our pre-assumption we trying to do something, our try to bring something which we think the other person would appreciate. However, there are situations when the other person actually doesn't need that, but needs something else. (S)He expects the other person should have known this... alas, (s)he doesn't know. There is no clear communication, there is no expectation setting. No one opens up, but expects the other to understand... aargh... I think you better read the book "Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus". This would give some good idea about the two entirely different sub-species, though we belong to the species "human".

Well... leave apart these stupid situations... actually these are stupid. Why 'Stupid'? Well, these can be avoided or eradicated by proper Communication; by proper usage of words when you deal with your loved ones.

Now, we communicate, we spend time together, we expect each other's time, we need some good food, love and sleep. How do we achieve this just with the time span of 24 hours. Earlier I used have 24 hours for myself and just myself. Now, I have to share with the others too. Oh God!! The time is moving so fast... How to utilize the 24 hours for my house hold work, my office work, my family, my hobbies...? I need more time now...! But... but... but... we can't have more than 24 hours in a day, unless the size of the earth becomes drastically big someday. So that it takes more than 24 hours to complete the rotation around itself and we get more hours as our day and night. May be some magic would do that... Well... let's not wander in the fantasy land and resume in the reality.

Time Management is not the only thing that would help you have fulfilling married life. It is needs to support of Communication, Resource Utilization, Prioritizing, Planning and People Smart skills. With the help of these you would plan your day to manage whatever time you have. It's you who can take time for whatever you had before your marriage. You have that power.

As Brian Tracy has said for anything you want to have in your life the 3 Ds are important for it: Decision, Discipline, and Determination. These 3 Ds are important for anything and everything that you want to achieve.

Take the decision - what you want to do in a day; whatever you want to do, on whatever activity you want to spend. Getting up a little early in the morning, finish your daily routine, spend an hour for cooking, watch new headlines at least or some music and have your breakfast, reaching office on time, work in office, starting from office on time, come back home, freshen up, watch some music channel / whatever you like to watch, cook the dinner, have your dinner, talk to husband and sleep.

Have discipline to follow what decision you have taken - Try to finish the work in the planned time limit, follow the time lines (deadlines), use the buffer time, cook food, read books or spend time for your passion.

Have determination to reach to the result and don't withdraw in between - Finishing work in the time limit, following your passion, spending time with yourself and with your family / friends.

Isn't it difficult to achieve the above three? I have only 24 hours and from that 6-8 hours I sleep, as that's needed for a good day to start; I spend 2 hours for cooking, I spend 2-3 hours traveling, I spend 10 hours (9.5 hours) in office. I am left with only 1 hour now in a day. That too is gone in freshening up, eating, changing clothes, keeping stuff in place. And I have 0 (ZERO) HOURS LEFT for anything else!!!!!!

This is almost every working woman's daily routine. We have 0 hours left at the end of the day. This change isn't easy for me; neither is healthy for me. Now, don't ask me to sleep for 4 hours and adjust the time. Docs suggest 6-7 hours sound sleep for a healthy body. You must have heard about so many heart attacks these days. Most of the cases reveal stretched work hours, late night sleep, and irregular hours of sleep / food habits.

So, time management, it seemed impossible for me. However, it is not impossible, it is challenging.

Time is limited, is scarce. Thus, we have to start utilizing our time effectively to win the challenge. We can't do effective time utilization without its companions.

Resource Utilization and Planning - it's very important. You don't need to do everything yourself. There are certain things that you can avoid and have someone else do it for you. Cooking - you love your husband, I understand. But you can have a maid who will cut vegetables for you, keep rice daal in cooker, prepare chapatis for you. You can later prepare tadaka for daal, fry the chapatis in pan, prepare the curry out of the cut vegetable etc. In case you don't want to cook yourself; have a cook instead and fix the hour for her when she would come and do the cooking. Still if you don't want to have home maid for this and you feel you are a super women to do that yourself, then you may cut vegetables in advance at night and keep it in fridge. In the morning it would be less pain staking and easy for you to prepare food in less time. During weekends bring whatever you need for the morning breakfast. You may prepare separate mix for of rice, black gram; in case you want to prepare Dosa or Idli. You may have enough bread for 2 days in a week, and some egg; it would be easier for you to prepare Bread-Omelet or Sandwich. Thus, you plan for your week ahead and for every single day.

Prioritizing - Prioritizing in house hold stuff... Is it really needed and how is it relevant? If you want to use your time effectively then you need to determine what things that you really need are. And what adds more value. Make a list of all things and find out which adds some value to yourself, to your life and to your soul. May be other stuffs that doesn't add any value, you would need to avoid. If they are required find some other resource to do that. Cleaning the house for example; it definitely creates a good impression for your husband. However, if you do it every time, you will feel irritated gradually and you might not find it interesting to you. Have a maid instead who would do that and you spend those time with your husband, talking to him, watching television with him. That would create a good bond instead. Once in a while you do the cleaning, so that he doesn't think that you have become lazy or don't want to contribute to the family. Same goes for the cooking, if you do it daily, you would get tired gradually, as you are working, traveling etc. Thus, choose to cook one time or may be once in a while prepare some delicious dishes. 

Communication and People Smart Skills - Communication is very important everywhere, in every relationship - be it Parents - Children, Employee - Boss, Client - Manager, Customer - Sales Person, Boyfriend - Girlfriend, Father - Mother, Friend - Friend, Husband - Wife. Its communication which helps you getting things done that you want to be done. Thus, usage of proper tone, proper words, and proper body language is necessary for a relationship to continue.

It's both the giver and receiver's responsibility to communicate properly. Use a tone that shows understanding. Be empathetic - try to understand what the other person is undergoing, what the other person is feeling or thinking.

Try to mirror each other. When you are in love you try to do what the other person likes. You do it willingly and not forcefully. That is what is called mirroring. Do the same with your family members. A point of caution, if you feel someone is adamant and gets angry, never mirror in that case. Rather try to show empathy. Make him/her feel that you understand how they are feeling about the situation or incident. Don't bounce back at that moment. You will get your turn to explain where you were doing right and the other person misinterpreted or misunderstood that. Empathy is something that can patch up any bad situation.

"Rome wasn't built in a day" - Anything that is worth something takes time to assemble.

So, Patience is something that's necessary even for a marriage. You take the first step and see after few days the other person would try to mirror you, would understand you too, would do things that you appreciate, would start appreciating you. This way you inculcate the leadership skills in you. If the other person is taking more time to change, then be patient and give him / her more time. However, don't lose your good qualities because of the bad habits (s)he has. Be assertive in that matter. If things are getting worse then may be reduce you effort a little. Wait and after some time start again.

Use of proper words, proper tone would help you have good people smart skills. Take for example, (s)he gets aggressive, then you be passive and keep quite. Later when things cool down, after a while start the discussion on it, however, don't charge anyone, provide valuable suggestions though and discuss on improvements.

Focus on positive words.

Example: Rather than saying

~ I hate this, this is bull shit etc. - say - I would love to appreciate if this can be done this way / I think this could have been better than this.

~ Don't keep these plates here, this is disgusting - say - Please keep the plates in the basin... This place looks good when it's clean.

Etc.

Etc.

Proper expression and tone is needed along with the positive words. Avoid commanding tone. You would not love to hear it - right!! So, why to use the same for someone else!

Earl Nightingale has said, "You become what you think." Thus, start feeling good, start feeling what you have always thought your life would become and sow the seeds of good thoughts, fill your life with positive vibration. The mirror concepts says, if you want your husband to treat you with love, affection and take utmost care of you - then start taking care of him, start loving him, start show your affection, your empathy for him. He would do the same in due course of time. Same goes for the guys.

Sit and discuss things with each other including your finances. Start sharing things including finances. Wondering why am I talking about sharing finances? Finance - is something that can become the evil in your married life, if you don't discuss about it with each other or if you don't share it with each other, for each other. Sharing your money with your partner would build that last pillar of Trust in your relationship. And trust is essential for any relationship to continue for a longer period of time.

I hope you are not scared any more about your married life and the time management part of it. In short do the planning over weekends for the next week, prepare a to do list for daily work, prioritize those work and then use the companions to get things done and do whatever you need/want to do.

In office too in order to utilize the 9 hours effectively and have your personal time out of that - follow the same pattern. If possible, work from home sometime. Try to reduce commuting time. If possible use your people smart skills to convince your partner and have a home which would be nearer to both of your offices. With this you will rock both in your personal and professional life.

The most important key for following what you have read just now is - Avoid Procrastinating Completely. This is similar to an AIDS virus that destroys everything.

Catch you in next blog...
♥ ~ Smile

[A good resource for time management is "Eat that Frog!" book by Brian Tracy.]

Deaf Frog, My Dii, and Me

Here I share the story of a small frog. When I was a fresher, this story shaped my thoughts and my career. "How it did?” - I will not reveal that now!!

There was a bunch of tiny frogs who arranged a climbing competition. The goal was to reach the top of a very high telephone tower. Some of the frogs preferred to be spectators. No one in the crowd really believed that the tiny frogs would reach the top of the tower.

The competition started. The spectators started shouting, “Oh, way too difficult!! They will never make to the top.” “Not a chance that they will succeed. The tower is too high!” Some of the frogs began collapsing by hearing this.

The crowd started yelling, “It is too difficult!! No one will make it!” Some more collapsed.

Some of the frogs reached higher with their fresh tempo. After a while some of the frogs got tired and said, “I am too tired! I don’t think I would be able to do it any more. I withdraw”. And they retired back.

By seeing this some more too said, “They weren’t able to do; how can we do?” “Not possible! Let’s go back.” And they too withdrew.

Now, there are only three frogs left. Two were too tired and were discouraged by the act of others and they too started blaming themselves for why they participated in this. “It’s waste of time and effort. Let’s join others!” And they stopped moving up.

The other tiny frog, unaware of what’s happening, kept on moving ahead. The rest of the two frogs started yelling, “Hey, You! Come, let’s go back. You are wasting your time. What will you achieve by doing this? Come on!!” There was no reaction; the other frog still moved up. And finally he reached to the top and took a view of the entire area from there. It was nice to be in top of every one. He looked down and saw the other frogs clapping and waving.

He came down and when asked what kept him motivated to reach the top, there was no reaction. They asked the question again and again. But there was no reaction. Finally they found that the frog is a DEAF!!

Now, this story was told to me by my senior Anchal Agrawal, when I was chosen to work on Lotus Notes technology after my campus training was over. I was worried for how would my career shape in. I wanted to go for Java technology, I had done the SCJP certification as well. And they didn't let me go for Java project. I started feeling despair.

She made me realize that, “It doesn’t matter what kind of job you do. What matters is how well you do that job! You may be assigned a sculptor’s job, however, do it in such a way that even the Lord says, here’s this sculptor who created me out of the rock!”

Today when I see the market and the condition of people after being layed off from the company, I feel a sense of relaxation that I am in a safe job and I am doing hardwork and smartwork.

People would say that, “You won’t be able to do this work. This job is not your cup of tea!” But believe me, even the CEOs were ‘Freshers’ one day. So strive for your goal like that deaf frog. Love the job you do. For if you sit and think about you not having a job at all, then you would realize that you are confident today and are able to relish some pleasure in life because of this job.

No one is small or no one is doing a pathetic job. Because the electrician is able to fix the AC point, you are able to work with proficiency, without your surrounding environment affecting you, without freezing and are able to work with concentration. Respect everybody in your life starting from the guard in your office to the canteen boy who takes the cups you have left at your desk.

The world would start loving you then!!

Keep smiling... Keep loving... and Keep rocking...

Catch you in next blog...

With smile

♥ ~ Smile

The Unfinished Journey- A trip to Nagarjuna Sagar

It was last year July when I was cherishing some of the last few days with my friend Sudheesh. Don't get scared he is in good health. Don't think otherwise. Well.. It was Sunday and the next day my friend Sudheesh had to leave for Bangalore, permanently leaving Hyderabad. Before he leaves some of his friends planned for a long drive to Nagarjuna Sagar. Approximate distance 150 Kms. They invited me too as I have my Honda Deo with me. Everyone was in high spirit (even though they were not they tried to show as if they are all interested to go).

We called our friend Kaustubh, however, he was only one who said it upfront that he is not at all interested to go there in this late hour (2 PM IST). As we were 7 so we asked him to lend his bike and we got it too. Myself, Sudheesh, Maruthi, Swami, Theja, Madhusudan, Riaz - we all started at 2 PM sharp. Swami took his camera, as he loves to shoot good moments.

We all went to the Petrol pump, next to Shopper stop, Begumpet. Filled our bikes - full tank. Checked the pressure of the tires.. And jhoom... we all started. I was driving alone. Myself - Honda Deo, Sudheesh & Madhu - CBZ, Swami & Riaz - Red Pulsar, Theja & Maruthi - the new Black Pulsar. And we zoomed through the road to leave Hyderabad city. We passed through the legendary traffic. Had few stunts there, as I was crossed a Lorry and a Bus in very little space in between. A little more slide towards each other and I would have become a sandwich stuffing between those two slices. We went through the Gachibawli road, passed Golconda and by 3:30-4 PM we were out of Hyderabad border.

Everyone was driving very fast, as they had bikes, of course. I tried to cope up with them and few other stunts I had to take. By seeing this my dear friends all got shocked and they stopped me and forced me to leave my Honda Deo and land up in the CBZ. Riaz drove my bike for sometime. Then Madhu for sometime. And I was enjoying the drive by resting in the high back seat of CBZ. We took a couple of pics when I handed over my bike to Madhu. It was an awesome experience.

Theja suddenly started driving at the speed of 130-140 KMph. And what he suddenly vanished from our eye sight. Argh... Swami could not resist this and out of his temptation he too drove at 130-140 KMph and they both started racing each other. "Gosh!! What's happening to these guys?" I asked Sudheesh lets catch them, they are not visible at all. It's all empty road, vast expanses of land and fields. The side ways were just empty land, huge stones (seemed as if there were small hill which are destroyed now). The road was dealy black color. Seemed as if it were made just few days back. The road was looking as if a huge snake which is moving swiftly and we can't see it's head and can see just its body. There are few patches of tree in few kilometers gap. The small villages were dotting the highway. The wind was flowing heavily and it was truly thrilling.

We patiently drove at 100 KM per hour for sometime. Then we could not resist our impatience and felt embarrassed that they have gone far away and we are way behind them. Sudheesh started driving at 120 KM per hour. We worried too for our friends, so we told Madhu to come patiently, no need to hurry. And we informed him that we are going to catch those 4 stupid drivers. Sudheesh doesn't like people driving rash, so he was bit annoyed. He had already warned them to drive at 100-120 KM per hour and not more than that. Anyway... We too started to drive at 120 KM per hour. Believe me it was even more thrilling. Sitting at the back seat that too in CBZ where pillion's seat is higher than the driver, feeling the touch of the wind.. not touch.. but force of the wind, I started feel the chillness of the weather, as it was almost 5 pm and the sun was about to set. I was thinking if Swami would have handed over the camera to me, I could have clicked some beautiful pics.

Finally, we caught Swami and Riaz. We took another snap there, when we caught Theja and Maruthi. We again continued our journey. We went few kilometers. As usual Swami and Theja again started their race. The after some time we caught Swami and Riaz near a mechanic. We all stopped there. Swami's back tire was punctured and they skipped an accident. So, the mechanic was fixing it. He had to put a new tire. Ah... spent some money there.. poor Swami he was sad, as he said, just a week ago I had put a new tire. They all went to a near by restaurant to savor some coke, while I was enjoying clicking some pics in Swami's camera. The mechanic was done and we continued our journey again.

Swami took some pics of his punctured tire, he seemed to be missing that tire. Then the pillions swapped. Swami with Maruthi and Theja with Riaz. We again continued and this time they all vanished without any warning signal. So, Sudheesh drove faster too to catch them. It seemed as if he was very much worried about them. I savored some more cold wind and peacefulness. We were just 20 KM away from our destination. It was just amazing. We continued our drive and suddenly... what we went through is unforgettable.

Swami is waving his hand with his handkerchief and trying to stop the passer by. His bike was in left side. Maruthi is running to the right side of the road. Both are tensed. We reached there and found Theja and Riaz injured. The bike was somewhere lying among the sand and stone lying beside the highway black road. We parked our bike where Swami's bike was parked, and rushed to Theja and Riaz.

Theja was holding his stomach and was unable to open even his eyes. His belly had hit to a pointed stone. And there were few scratches in  his hand. He was wearing Kaustubh's helmet so nothing happened to his head. However, what we noticed is there was a big hole in the helmet where it has hit hard to another stone. If the helmet would not have been there then his chin and mouth definitely would have broken. Swami held Theja in his lap and tried to take out his helmet.

Sudheesh and me went to Riaz. Maruthi was holding him. Riaz's condition was very bad. I would say very very bad. I can recall his injured face clearly even now. His head was injured and continuous blood was coming. Maruthi was trying to stop the blood with his handkerchief. There are other villagers who joined us. They tried to arrange some water, however, we didn't had much. Then I remember my room-mate saying that taking some water with you during journey is considered as auspicious. I don't know if it's auspicious or not, however we were fortunate for I had followed my room-mate's advice that day. I could remember then that I have got some water with me. I took out my small water bottle and we helped Riaz and Theja drink. Riaz was feeling very thirsty and he was closing his eyes. I guess he was unable to hear our voices too. Maruthi and Myself were asking him to keep his eyes open and to stay with us. He was closing his eyes as if he is going to some deep sleep. Also his left side face has a flesh come out near his nose. That was simply looking horrible. I could see his bone. It was also bleeding heavily and not stopping at all. For sometime we could not understand what to do. All those bad thoughts were coming what if they die. Oh!! God!! What would we tell to their parents. And we were so so soooo tensed.

In the time Madhu came and that's when the idea came to my mind, that there's no point sitting helpless and crying or cursing. When I saw my bike I found myself bit relieved cause I always carry my first aid kit with me. I snatched the key from Madhu and ran to my bike. Opened the seat and took out the first aid kit. We put the ointment in Riaz's nose and head. We also tried to out the band-aid to his head. The ointment really worked. Within minutes the blood started clotting. Then we tried to stop few of the auto rickshaws to take them to the near by hospital which was again 10KM away from that place. There were no population nearby.

No auto stopped to take us. We tried our best. 5 minutes left, that's when we realized there's no point waiting for these auto rickshaws. We some how pulled Theja and tried to make him sit behind Swami in his bike. We tried to tie him with the jacket along with Swami. We asked Theja to hols Swami tight, and then they left Swami was carefully driving. After them when Riaz felt a little good when blood clotted, he some how sat behind Sudheesh. Then Sudheesh left for the hospital. Madhu too went to accompany them in searching the hospital.

We two, myself and Maruthi we stayed near the spot. There were patches of blood in our dresses and in our hands. We sat there and prayed to God. Whatever "Mantras" we knew we chanted all those. Whatever God/Goddess lockets we were wearing, we held those and were constantly praying God to save them. The passer by were coming to us by seeing the blood patches and the complete damaged bike. And we were telling them the same story. They too shared some of their experiences, how they saw some accidents few days back at this same spot. They also mentioned that there were few accidents where the person died on the spot. That scared us more and our heartbeat even became faster. They were discussing about the road and its faults. There was a sharp turn in the road and there were few small stones. That's where and that's why our bike had skid and our friends met with the accident.

We waited for around an hour. We called our friends to find out if they reached safely. However, everyone's mobile was switched off. Maruthi tried to narrate what he saw. He explained me how the bike had skid just in front of their eyes - how Riaz rolled over on the air and fell on those big stones - how Theja skid along with the bike and then left it after he hit the stone.

Our friends called us and informed us that the stitching is done and they have booked a cab for Theja and Riaz. Sudheesh came in his bike, Swami had left his bike in the hospital as he was accompanying Theja and Riaz in the cab. I took my Honda Deo, Madhu and Maruthi left in the CBZ that Sudheesh was driving. And Sudheesh tried to drive the broken black Pulsar. Sudheesh's jacket was completely drenched in blood. The Pulsar's handle was damaged, however, somehow the Petrol Tank was not damaged. Maruthi and Madhu went after the cab. It was difficult for Sudheesh to drive that damaged bike. So, we drove very slowly.

It was almost night when we started our journey back to Hyderabad. The Sun has already set leaving us in the dark night. Wind was blowing even harder this time. I was no more enjoying the wind. Mean while it also started raining. We had our petrol tanks full again in the mid of our journey. We took a break there to save ourselves from the heavy wind and rain. However, we could not wait more as the tension was rising faster. We continued our journey. We reached Hyderabad and there was heavy traffic and heavy raining. Road, water, traffic everything was flowing. At 10 PM we reached Apollo hospital, Banjara Hills. They had already reached much earlier than us and Riaz's stitching was removed. They had new stitches. There were total 6 stitches in his head and the flesh near nose was not stitched but was properly treated. He was resting and was awake.

Theja was sleeping in his head and was making noise holding his stomach. Doctors said they can go home now. However, Theja's pain, what has happened to him? Theja woke up after sometime by hearing our talks. He started crying with pain in his stomach. We were bit worried. Doctors said nothing has happened. Swami was not convinced. He was after the doctor to do scanning. They said no need nothing, has happened. Swami almost fought with them to scan his stomach. Finally they did and asked us to wait for an hour or 2 to get the reports.

We waited there, brought some food for Riaz. Theja was lying and was looking very week. We left them for sometime to rest. And waited outside. Everyone was worried. We informed some of Theja's colleagues. His best friend came to visit him. The reports came after sometime. And yes, he has an injury in his stomach, though doctor's didn't confirm. They said some liquid is found in his stomach and they are not sure if its blood or something else. We were sure it was blood. They just tried to relax us by not saying. However, we were more worried about that.

They did some more scanning and tried to insert something to his body to find out if its blood. Theja got scared when they took him to another room and there were many machines around him. We tried to keep ourselves relaxed and smiling, so that he feel relaxed. He asked many questions and we were telling him there's some scanning going to happen to confirm that you perfectly fine. Just be calm and sleep for sometime. He was looking at all our faces to figure out if there are any traces of worry.

They did scanning and he was not allowed to move. However, he was willing move as it was almost 3 hours that he was in the same position in the bed. Docs confirmed that its blood and they moved him immediately to ICU. We all were waiting there. Sudheesh asked others to go home. How can we go home leaving him alone in the hospital. Everyone is sleeping. There is hardly any noise in the hospital. So we all decided to stay. We sat sometime on the steel chairs. Then lied down over the series of chairs lying there.

We got whatever medicines the docs asked. One was sitting near Riaz to guard him and others were sleeping, on a rotation basis. When the morning came we could hardly realize. Although we didn't see sun, we could listen the sounds now. Slowly the hospital started to get rush with patients, doctors, visitors. Everyone was having a look at us. And were trying to figure out what has happened. Some even asked us.

It was Monday morning. Office time. So, we all went to see Theja. However, they didn't let us go inside ICU. Only Sudheesh went and we all waited for him. He confirmed that Theja is OK. So, we started for our homes / hostels. Sudheesh waited there. Swami and Maruthi too left for home. They later came to hospital with food and cloth. And they took care of him.

We informed Theja's family about this accident. He told them that it happened as some dog came in front of him and he had to do sudden break. Because of which he met with this accident. He did not tell them about the trip. We too kept quite as if we don't know anything. He was there for 5 days and then he was discharged. He went to Bangalore with his parents as Doctor had asked him to rest for at least a month. Riaz didn't tell anything in his home. However, he was in too much pain after the pain killer effect was gone. So after 2-3 days we asked him to inform his family and he did so. He left for Bangalore and after he went there with his family's care he recovered very fast.

This is our unfinished journey to Nagarjuna Sager Waterfalls. We could not finish. All we have now is few pics before the accident and in hospital. We met with some unfortunate situations. However, we never left the spirit to go on long drive. However, we definitely learned, "Carefully drive - or - Risk to Loose your life"

Catch you in next blog...
♥ ~ Smile

खामोशी क्या खुद खामोश होती है? (Is silence silent in itself?)

खामोशी क्या खुद खामोश होती है!!

सुबह की किरण जब अंधियारे को
चिर पूरी दुनिया को रोशन करती है
बेचैन फूल सारे खिल उठते हैं

पंछियाँ चेह्चेहाने लगती हैं
टीम टीम तारें सब घबरा
कहीं दूर भाग जाती हैं

चेहेक उठती है दुनिया
और साथ जाग उठते हैं
ये दुनिया वाले

फूल अपनी पंखुडियां हिला
मुस्कुराती निखर उठती हैं, और लगती हैं
करने हवासे कितनी सारी बातें

दूर गगन मैं सूरज सीना तान
खडा हो जाता है, उसे देख लोग
अपने काम मैं निर्लिप्त हो जाते हैं

धीरे धीरे शाम को जब नशा चढ़ने लगता है
झूम झूम के वह सारे जगपे
अपने भांग का रश चढाते जाता है

उसकी मादिरा व्याकुल किसी मन् को
मदहोश कर जाती है, सन्नाटे की तलाश मैं
वह मन् दूर गगन् को ताकता रेहता है

ढलते सूरज के दुपट्टे मैं
मुहं छुपाकर उसकी नज़रें
तन्हाई से गुफ्तगू करती हैं

तब मन् के सागर मैं उथल पुथल
सी होने लगती हैं, ये मन् बिना मुहं खोले
अपने भाव से सारी फ़िज़ा से बातें करती हैं

उस खामोशी के भंवर मैं
बस एक ही ख़याल आता हैं
बस बार बार एक ही सवाल आता है

खामोशी क्या खुद खामोश होती है?

मोर को जैसे काले बादल का
चंद्रमा को जैसे काली रात का
मुझे इंतज़ार है उसी तरह इस सवाल के जवाब का

(The photo is taken by my colleague. http://www.flickr.com/photos/mliebenberg/2258849964/in/set-72157594358961495/)

फिर मिलते हैं अगले ब्लोग़ मैं...
♥ ~ मुस्कान

Ocean of clouds...

Here's a beautiful ocean...
             The ocean of clouds.

Life is also an ocean...
            Sometime of happiness,
                        Sometime of sadness.

You see it from different angle... you will find that...
            It is an ocean of nothing else,
                        but human experiences...

Make a nice day ahead...

Catch you in the next blog
~ Mili

The Lost Treasure...

The mirror you have - it never lies.
Be it the night or day full of light,
it is the trail of your emotions.
The silent speakers,
speaks the unspoken,
reflects your deepest desires.

Just looking into them, heavenly music I can hear,
night becomes filled with the moon light,
my senses rise with the touch of those cool winds.
It drags me to indulge into the deepest secrets lying in you,
to dive into the ocean of your love,
to relish the smell of your breath, and touch your lips.

Small yet so tempting, pushing me to touch you,
to feel the soothing hug, savor the care
and affection that you shower on me.
Read my eyes... can you read my eyes!!
Take me with you, I want to live those moments we had shared,
when everything was love.. Just Love!! And 'You-Me' were "We".

You are the one who changed my life,
showed me this beautiful world of love;
I don't have to tell, you know - this is eternal truth.
You are what I am today - for I am independent.
You are my courage - for I can face this world.
After failure I get up and try again, you are that strength.

Mani-er times I have felt
if I could become wind,
I would reach you in moments;
Away from everyone and everything,
invisible from this entire world,
I could spend the rest of my life in that little place.

"Love, it can set you free" - can I be free again?
Can I be with my love again?
One more chance - or - one more life! Or will it...?
Every hour, every day... I miss those twinkling lights,
Always... always... I miss those twinkling lights,
Always... always... I miss my lovely picture in it.

Miracle!! does it happen? I'm waiting for it to happen.
All those moment is alive and static in here.
Touch my soul... you are always here, safe in here.
One more time, I wanna dive into those beautiful ocean,
the mirrors - my true picture, I wanna see myself;
I wanna see myself again in it, its the only desire.

The moments we spent waiting to meet
The nights we waited in desire to spend life together
The dreams we had seen - here, in here that truth lies.
The precious smile, the refreshing dimples
become alive with the sparkle of the pearl stored in those shells -
the only treasure I had - I lost it... I lost - Your "Eyes"!!

Catch you in the next blog...
~ Mili

Oh! When will the traffic signal turn Red?

I was in hurry to rush home today, for I have to go and prepare food for my family.

Family!! Ah we are only two people now. Still travelling one and half hour in this traffic is definitely a daily terror I go through.

It was as usual rush hours. Lots of bikes, many cars, auto rickshaws and yes Buses; and I am in one of those BMTC Buses now, trying to take a glance of what others are doing.

Here’s what took my attention today - Two kids trying to cross the road in the heavy traffic of Bangalore.

Two young boys, the kind of care they share for each other, it feels as if they are siblings.

One is around 6 years and the other is... umm... would be around 8 years.

They were holding their hands tight and were coming forward to cross the road.

However, the high speed vehicles, rather the iron animals were filling fear in them every time they pass in front of them.

They came a little forward from the bus stop and looked to the right is some vehicle is coming.

Yes, there are … however, they are far away

The younger one looked at the elder one. However, the elder was constantly keeping an eye on the vehicles which were coming fast.

By seeing what brother is doing he too looked at the road.

They moved a little forward. Alas, the vehicle reached to them very fast and they again rushed back still holding each other’s hand a bit tightly now.

Again back to the same place from where they had started.

They waited till the vehicles pass.

Yes, now the road is clean and the vehicles are far away.

“We can move now!” was the feeling.

They held each other’s hand again and started to move.

Bad luck, within few seconds they were in the middle of the road and the vehicles rushed near them.

They are in the middle of the road, standing still as a statue.

If they move a little forward or backward, they will be crushed or at least will be throw away to a short distance.

The drivers without even taking the responsibility of their fault would start scolding them and would make a big mess out there.

They would stop every other driver and passerby and would make unnecessary noise so that no one could dare to blame the driver.

Murmuring God’s name they are holding their hands tight, very tight and are trying to control the other, not to move.

The wind is waving their little hairs; the fear on their innocent face is obvious now.

The only thing they can see now is the head lights of the cars, bikes, auto rickshaws and the busses.

Waiting for when the traffic signal would turn Red and they could cross the road safely is the only prayer they are doing now.

“Oh! When will the traffic signal turn Red?” - that’s the only thought going on in my mind too.

God save these poor little children, who have determined to face this busy and cruel world and their cruelty.

Ah! My Bus is moving now a little forward. All the passengers are in. God! Please turn the light Red.

RED

Phew… finally the children could cross the road. They are Relaxed now and thanked God by the usual gesture we Indians have, touching our throat and fore-head with our hand.

Thank God! Thanks for helping these kids in their start of their journey for the struggle they have to face in this fast paced world.

Catch you in the next blog...

~ Mili