Aren't they beautiful ?

Aren't they beautiful ?

Dawn !

That part of the day which the wilderness within
meets : eye to eye, soul to soul, heart to heart
And
merges into it...
serenity, calmness...branch out from the trees
the chirrup of the winged beauties form a melody...
In fact I remember taking early morning walks for a couple of days when we were in Umergaon, a small village-upcoming township near Mumbai in Gujarat. Men opening shops, some cleaning with brooms themselves, some getting it done by peons. There was a banker, a Parsi who owned a Xerox-STD-ISD booth. I saw him brooming himself and then putting 'rangoli'. Now that's 'owner mentality', a lesson that I learnt, in the land where business runs in the blood. Then there were few 'chaiwalas' making 'adrak/elaichi chais'. You bet I would feel very tempted to take a morning sip. But...men standing with newspaper...small place...etc the usual social norms...and I would walk back home to have the drink in the comforts of home. Why can't a human being attired in woman's body enjoy certain things? I fight this out on a daily basis. Well I don't want to talk about the rigmarole pertaining to this topic. Coming back, yes the early morning spirit ran through all, whom I saw during my walks, sort of binding us all on the outer...even though we occupied different worlds within.

Dawn !

That part of the day which the wilderness within
meets : eye to eye, soul to soul, heart to heart
And
merges into it...
serenity, calmness...branch out from the trees
the chirrup of the winged beauties form a melody...
In fact I remember taking early morning walks for a couple of days when we were in Umergaon, a small village-upcoming township near Mumbai in Gujarat. Men opening shops, some cleaning with brooms themselves, some getting it done by peons. There was a banker, a Parsi who owned a Xerox-STD-ISD booth. I saw him brooming himself and then putting 'rangoli'. Now that's 'owner mentality', a lesson that I learnt, in the land where business runs in the blood. Then there were few 'chaiwalas' making 'adrak/elaichi chais'. You bet I would feel very tempted to take a morning sip. But...men standing with newspaper...small place...etc the usual social norms...and I would walk back home to have the drink in the comforts of home. Why can't a human being attired in woman's body enjoy certain things? I fight this out on a daily basis. Well I don't want to talk about the rigmarole pertaining to this topic. Coming back, yes the early morning spirit ran through all, whom I saw during my walks, sort of binding us all on the outer...even though we occupied different worlds within.

Balewadi Sports Campus: Appearances are deceptive.

Having missed out on the Mother of all sporting events "The Commonwealth Youth Games" held at Balewadi in Pune, had an opportunity to visit the fancy sports campus located at Malunge village, for a conference. Sprawling lawns and glossy exteriors of the buildings are a feast to the eyes. However the changing rooms were shoddy and the loo, a nightmare. There was no water but there were cartons of sealed 'Energy drink' bottles kept near the toilet !! A bunch of women had formed a line outside and one of them took the bottle out of the carton and went inside. Soon many followed suit until I got curious about the colourful bottles and read the contents ! The atmosphere there, now got really 'energized' ! Can the sports authorities explain the reason behind stacking cartons of 'Energy Drinks' near a toilet?

Balewadi Sports Campus: Appearances are deceptive.

Having missed out on the Mother of all sporting events "The Commonwealth Youth Games" held at Balewadi in Pune, had an opportunity to visit the fancy sports campus located at Malunge village, for a conference. Sprawling lawns and glossy exteriors of the buildings are a feast to the eyes. However the changing rooms were shoddy and the loo, a nightmare. There was no water but there were cartons of sealed 'Energy drink' bottles kept near the toilet !! A bunch of women had formed a line outside and one of them took the bottle out of the carton and went inside. Soon many followed suit until I got curious about the colourful bottles and read the contents ! The atmosphere there, now got really 'energized' ! Can the sports authorities explain the reason behind stacking cartons of 'Energy Drinks' near a toilet?

Siblings banter

After a long time baba, kaka and aatya are together at our house the second time. Few years back they had all gathered together at Umbergaon. Its fun watching the brothers tease their sister. All are in their 70's. Kaka arrives all the way from Vadodara to be with his kin. He is the one to wake up early today. Everyone else joins him soon for a cup of tea. And the never ending chat starts once again. Grandchildren, daughters-in-law, sons, daughter, her in- laws....the talk focuses mainly on relations. I have had few days of interaction with all of them in these 14 years. Kaka, a retired Veterinary Joint Director, early in the morning put his cell-walkman on speaker which doles out 'Breathless' by Shankar Mahadevan followed by Marathi songs. I thought he is making good use of the cell phone (has also set the voice tone which anounces the time every hour) unlike my folks especially my mom who is yet to learn messaging. Aatya ( a retired teacher) is her own sweet self. Though I can understand Marathi well, it is difficult to follow certain words/dialouges that highlight different meanings in different context. But I can make out that baba and kaka try to make her view the usual familial issues in a manner different from what she percieves, she belonging to the sensitive lot. I like sensitive human beings (can relate to them better). And so till date I have had a good time getting married to a Maharashtrian household inspite of being a person raised in a South Indian (Tamil/Kannada) home, in the central part of India (Bhilai). Baba, a Mechanical Engineer is his own jolly self and once he quoted his philosophy of life by reciting James Leigh Hunt's Abou Ben Adhem

Abou Ben Adhem

Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!)
Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,
And saw, within the moonlight in his room,
Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,
An Angel writing in a book of gold:

Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,
And to the Presence in the room he said,
"What writest thou?" The Vision raised its head,
And with a look made of all sweet accord
Answered, "The names of those who love the Lord."

"And is mine one?" said Abou. "Nay, not so,"
Replied the Angel. Abou spoke more low,
But cheerily still; and said, "I pray thee, then,
Write me as one who loves his fellow men."

The Angel wrote, and vanished. The next night
It came again with a great wakening light,
And showed the names whom love of God had blessed,
And, lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest!

-- James Leigh Hunt

I'll continue later I guess as I need to attend to
some chores.