Something for the guys to ponder about...

DISCLAIMER: This is forward and not my own piece. Putting it up nevertheless as it appealed immensely to my soul :)

Here is a girl, who is as much educated as you are; who is earning almost as much as you do. One, who has dreams and aspirations just as you have because she is as human as you are;

One, who has never entered the kitchen in her life just like you or your sister haven't, as she was busy in studies and competing in a system that gives no special concession to girls for their culinary achievements;

One, who has lived and loved her parents & brothers & sisters, almost as much as you do for 20-25 years of her life;

One, who has bravely agreed to leave behind all that, her home, people who love her, to adopt your home, your family, your ways and even your family name;

One, who is somehow expected to be a master-chef from day #1, while you sleep oblivious to her predicament in her new circumstances, environment and that kitchen;

One, who is expected to make the tea, first thing in the morning and cook food at the end of the day, even if she is as tired as you are, maybe more, and yet n ever ever expected to complain;

To be a servant, a cook, a mother, a wife, even if she doesn't want to;

And is learning just like you are as to what you want from her;

And is clumsy and sloppy at times and knows that you won't like it if she is too demanding, or if she learns faster than you;

One, who has her own set of friends, and that includes boys and even men at her workplace too, those, who she knows from school days and yet is willing to put all that on the back-burners to avoid your irrational jealousy, unnecessary competition and your inherent insecurities;

Yes, she can drink and dance just as well as you can, but won't, simply because you won't like it, even though you say otherwise;

One, who can be late from work once in a while when deadlines, just like yours, are to be met;

One, who is doing her level best and wants to make this most important relationship in her entire life a grand success, if you just help her some and trust her;

One, who just wants one thing from you, as you are the only one she knows in your entire house - your unstinted support, your sensitivities and most importantly - your understanding, your time or love, if you may call it.

But not many people understand this......think about it!!!

The confessions of a child!

A voice from within says grow up
You are a kid no more
Someone from within smiles at the rumbling
And says, growing up is such a chore

This life is at its happiest it says
I was a grown up once you see
Now I don’t stop to think of all I need to do
Its such a relief to be so free

People don’t think I think
Nor do they care of what I say
Takes all the burdens off my shoulders
I can now go whichever way I may

Yes, I am away from the perils of love
And of the burdens that come with it
Its only innocent friendships now
I behave now as I deem fit

But someday I need to grow up
I realize this charade can not go on
Those moments seem so scary
I feel that was not why I was born : )

Shantaram... By Gregory David Roberts.

For all those people who have heard about Mumbai, the spirit of Mumbai, the resilience of Mumbai, the life of Mumbai – this is THE book for all of you. The story is a work of non-fiction based on the author’s - a convicted Australian bank robber and heroin addict who escaped from Pentridge Prison and fled to India where he lived for 10 years – life and experiences.

The beauty of this book lies in its simplicity. From the roads of Mumbai to remote villages of India, the life and the lives in India, the day to day celebrations, the great Indian marriages, the author’s deep involvement with the slum dwellers - all of it touch a chord with the reader at some level or the other.

You laugh with Prabhakar. Karla’s quotes make your sit up and reflect on the profundity of the words. As much as Abdullah seems like the wrong guy, the “bear” incident does leave you with goosebumps. The mere thought of such selfless act of affection for the sake of a so-called brother, that too coming from a thug… It just leaves you with a feeling that stays long after the book is done with and shelved. Kaderbhai – the don scares you just as much as his philosophical “World is always moving towards complexity” talks amazes you. Madame Zhou and her shroud of secrecy adds to the intrigue factor of the book. [Till the end, I had half suspected Karla and Madame Zhou to be the same person.]

As much as the poverty of the people in the slum depresses you, the sheer spirit and glee with which the people seem to go on with their lives teaches you the most important thing. Happiness is what you have within you. Much as you search for it, you will never find it externally. It’s not the riches that guarantee you happiness, its serenity and simplicity that does. In spite of the language (or maybe because the language adds that touch of authencity to the darker life in Mumbai) this books still manages to stand out in the scores of other reads.

And then there is Lin. A runway convict, a drugs peddler on the streets of Mumbai, protégée to the most feared mafia don in Mumbai, a godsend doctor to the slum dwellers… Seems like a series of lives and men in a single body. His hatred for Madame Zhou, his yearning for Karla, his blind devotion to Kaderbhai who in turn fills the fathervoid in his life, his affection for Abdullah and his love for Prabhaker. Even his experiences with Kano(?!?!) the bear make you want to hug him. If a man is known by the company he keeps is Lin a saint a philosopher a thief? Beats me.

Although this book talks of a life which had many a wrong turns, many wrong deeds, it will still teach you something about life and love and the world. Long time ago, I had read a blog/article that said, “The most prized books come into one’s life unsought. They arrive to answer a question.” That article made a reference to The Roots by Alex Haley. What The Roots did to her, Shantaram did to me. To again paraphrase the previous author,” This book, truly, made me a person. If my literary life can be divided into two parts, it would be before reading that book and after reading it. That, as far as books go, would be my absolute soul mate.”

Funnily, when I laid my hands on this book, the first thought that struck me was, “Is this heavy or is this what?” But once I started reading it, there was no looking back. Midnight after midnight, this book made me forego sleep. And I have enjoyed every moment of it. And ever since then, each night is incomplete until I have turned over a few pages again. Re-read a few sentence, relived a few experiences.

I don’t wish to spoil the plot or the reading experience by giving out any more details but just that… This is book which is NOT to be missed under any circumstances.