In good old Bombay, the sun kisses the Taj sea each dawn
Peeping behind the Gateway as the waves blush and turn fawn
Smiling rays of warmth over the prisoners of destiny’s city
As they open their eyes to embrace another morning of uncertainty
It is this shrine that I accidentally treaded an October night,
With prayers in my heart, & stars in my eyes, my dreams took flight.
I entered the temple, climbed up high and hit the worship bell,
The door opened, and little did I know, there stood my life’s angel.
The sinner in me didn’t recognize - she was God’s gift to me
I may have lost my blessing then, but that was not to be
Five seasons hence providence smiled brightly on me again
As she held my hand in hers, that was the end of my pain
She worries about me, as a mother would care
But all my troubles vanish, when she caresses my hair
She guides me as a brother, when I am in trouble
And grips me strong, not allowing me to crumble
As a father, she scolds me bad when I go astray
But I can’t rebel against her, come what may
She teases me playfully, as only a loving sister would
But allows me to win games with her, so that I feel good
She speaks quietly with her eyes, as they engulf all my sorrow
She listens intently as a friend, without raising her brow
When I am perplexed and my mind goes astray
She’s a guiding teacher to me, who’ll show me the way
My mind rests when I am at her bosom
She’s a loving companion who gives me all the freedom
I wished so much that she’s always be my legally wedded wife
When I needed her the most, I lost her forever– the angel in my life
Thursday, April 30, 2009
I am always there for you!
Written on Raakhi'1993, when Bryan Adams was in, Boris Becker was playing flawless tennis and we did not know who Shah Rukh Khan is!
Dear Swati,
Whether it is dark; whether it is sunshine,
Remember Sister, I am always here for you.
When you are victorious and full of joy,
Or when life is difficult and makes you cry,
When you came home after beating them all
Or when they pulled and you did fall,
When you feel disappointed over the chances you blew,
And come back home, depressed and blue.
When you are sad and your eyes are full of tears,
When friends turn foes and there are no peers
When others had their way and you didn’t have a clue
When you are apprehensive and the options confuse you
Remember sister, I am always here for you
When people say things they did not intend to
When you feel the world is hypocritical and untrue
But you do not know whom to talk to,
Remember sister, I am always here for you
When you need help and you don’t know whom to ask for
Just stretch your hand a little further and you’ll find me there
For remember sister, I am always there for you
And when somebody gives chocolates to you
Remember Swati, I am always here for you
Yes, you know it’s true
I am always here for you
Yours, always,
Rahul
Dear Swati,
Whether it is dark; whether it is sunshine,
Remember Sister, I am always here for you.
When you are victorious and full of joy,
Or when life is difficult and makes you cry,
When you came home after beating them all
Or when they pulled and you did fall,
When you feel disappointed over the chances you blew,
And come back home, depressed and blue.
When you are sad and your eyes are full of tears,
When friends turn foes and there are no peers
When others had their way and you didn’t have a clue
When you are apprehensive and the options confuse you
Remember sister, I am always here for you
When people say things they did not intend to
When you feel the world is hypocritical and untrue
But you do not know whom to talk to,
Remember sister, I am always here for you
When you need help and you don’t know whom to ask for
Just stretch your hand a little further and you’ll find me there
For remember sister, I am always there for you
And when somebody gives chocolates to you
Remember Swati, I am always here for you
Yes, you know it’s true
I am always here for you
Yours, always,
Rahul
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Dear Bro-in-law
As you take my sister away in her Doli, just wanted to pen a few lines……………
It’s a small journey for her, but a big farewell for us
She’s been a Doll at times, a Dadima at others…….
The first step she took, we were around to make sure she doesn’t fall
She smiled back, telling us as that she can handle it all!
The first day for her in school, we were so unsure
Surprised to see others crying, she winked to reassure.
The first instance she was out alone, she made friends dazzling her smile
She was just across the street, but it seemed a mile
The first time in college, she was hesitant, but wanted to give it a try
As she gauged her potential, we realised that she is about to fly
The first time outside home, she found her canvas
As she floored peer after peer, we were there to cheer….
The first job gave her the avenue and freedom to explore
As she went about it, she realized she could do so much more
The city of Pune had its share of suitors, after each other, ready to fight
But when the twinkle in your eyes met hers, she knew she had met her knight
The next journey is the start of a bright splendorous sail to islands of bliss
Guided with a gale of love and laughter as life from now will have nothing amiss
The gateway of marriage leads her to the next planet of dreams
To galaxies of ecstasy, where affection and joy burst from seams
As you take her away to unchartered vistas of togetherness
Here’s wishing you a lifetime of delight, fun and happiness
Our eyes may be moist, our mouths may be dry
But our hearts know, this is the last time she is to cry
Coz, as you take her away in her doli to a world unseen…
The princess departs to take her rightful throne as queen
It’s a small journey for her, but a big farewell for us
She’s been a Doll at times, a Dadima at others…….
The first step she took, we were around to make sure she doesn’t fall
She smiled back, telling us as that she can handle it all!
The first day for her in school, we were so unsure
Surprised to see others crying, she winked to reassure.
The first instance she was out alone, she made friends dazzling her smile
She was just across the street, but it seemed a mile
The first time in college, she was hesitant, but wanted to give it a try
As she gauged her potential, we realised that she is about to fly
The first time outside home, she found her canvas
As she floored peer after peer, we were there to cheer….
The first job gave her the avenue and freedom to explore
As she went about it, she realized she could do so much more
The city of Pune had its share of suitors, after each other, ready to fight
But when the twinkle in your eyes met hers, she knew she had met her knight
The next journey is the start of a bright splendorous sail to islands of bliss
Guided with a gale of love and laughter as life from now will have nothing amiss
The gateway of marriage leads her to the next planet of dreams
To galaxies of ecstasy, where affection and joy burst from seams
As you take her away to unchartered vistas of togetherness
Here’s wishing you a lifetime of delight, fun and happiness
Our eyes may be moist, our mouths may be dry
But our hearts know, this is the last time she is to cry
Coz, as you take her away in her doli to a world unseen…
The princess departs to take her rightful throne as queen
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
My Mom – the “driver” in the family!
When I was in school, I remember penning a card for my mom on one of her birthdays which read something like this………
Happy birthday to someone who
Protects like a father
Guides like a brother
Teases like a sister and
Loves like a mother!
When I look back at this creation today, 20 years later, it reflects so truly her amazing versatility.
We have been a family of four (now extended to five with my bro-in-law’s addition to it). Through our growing years till date, (I would like to believe I am still growing!) Mom has been a source of infectious energy in our lives. As one of my cousins says about her and I quote, “when we are depressed and in need of an injection of positivity (sic!), we drive to her place. After spending an hour of fun, laughter and contentment, we come back refreshed with renewed vigour and vitality for life”. Seems she has an alternate career lined up as a self-help guru! You think what I say is clichéd? Read on………
She had been diagnosed with Diabetes 18 years back. And Sciatica before that. And frozen shoulder after that. Add chickenguniya, measles (!) and what not in between! Do you think all this has dampened her spirit and zest for life? Visit us at 6 am or 11 pm and she’ll be smilingly welcoming you at the door. Want to discuss politics, music, films or sports and she’ll be an avid participant. Need to know recipes for Bengali, Tamil, Gujarati or Punjabi food, she’ll cook and show it to you how it’s done. From world news to neighbourhood gossip she’s clued on and has an opinion on every issue No wonder, after my leaving the nest for pastures of work, none of my friends have stopped visiting home. In fact, my presence or absence is incidental and hardly matters!
You would think that after seeing her son “settled” at work, and her daughter “married” blissfully, she would relax and spend sum quiet time at home? Quiet? It’s actually the last adjective in her vocabulary. She’s taken up singing (intending to qualify for “sa re ga ma” no less), and is learning music. That is, when she’s not on orkut chatting up with “friends” of her contemporaries’ grandchildren! If my Dad is the “navigator” in the family and we children, playful backseaters, Mom is truly the “driver” of the family!
Did I say “driver”? She’s now even taken that literally! Not satisfied being driven around by Auto and Taxi wallahs (they take you for a ride (pun intended), she complains!), son, friends or relatives, she now wants to be in the driver’s seat, herself. You can never take her away from action any which way! Last heard, at 54 years of age, she was the eldest “student” at the driving school (and I can bet the most enthusiastic). When reports last came in, she’d conquered the roads of Jabalpur (my native place) on gears 3 and 4. The only problem, she tells me is that she can’t drive in “reverse”. Don’t you know, Mom? – that’s a gear you have never learnt in life!
Happy birthday to someone who
Protects like a father
Guides like a brother
Teases like a sister and
Loves like a mother!
When I look back at this creation today, 20 years later, it reflects so truly her amazing versatility.
We have been a family of four (now extended to five with my bro-in-law’s addition to it). Through our growing years till date, (I would like to believe I am still growing!) Mom has been a source of infectious energy in our lives. As one of my cousins says about her and I quote, “when we are depressed and in need of an injection of positivity (sic!), we drive to her place. After spending an hour of fun, laughter and contentment, we come back refreshed with renewed vigour and vitality for life”. Seems she has an alternate career lined up as a self-help guru! You think what I say is clichéd? Read on………
She had been diagnosed with Diabetes 18 years back. And Sciatica before that. And frozen shoulder after that. Add chickenguniya, measles (!) and what not in between! Do you think all this has dampened her spirit and zest for life? Visit us at 6 am or 11 pm and she’ll be smilingly welcoming you at the door. Want to discuss politics, music, films or sports and she’ll be an avid participant. Need to know recipes for Bengali, Tamil, Gujarati or Punjabi food, she’ll cook and show it to you how it’s done. From world news to neighbourhood gossip she’s clued on and has an opinion on every issue No wonder, after my leaving the nest for pastures of work, none of my friends have stopped visiting home. In fact, my presence or absence is incidental and hardly matters!
You would think that after seeing her son “settled” at work, and her daughter “married” blissfully, she would relax and spend sum quiet time at home? Quiet? It’s actually the last adjective in her vocabulary. She’s taken up singing (intending to qualify for “sa re ga ma” no less), and is learning music. That is, when she’s not on orkut chatting up with “friends” of her contemporaries’ grandchildren! If my Dad is the “navigator” in the family and we children, playful backseaters, Mom is truly the “driver” of the family!
Did I say “driver”? She’s now even taken that literally! Not satisfied being driven around by Auto and Taxi wallahs (they take you for a ride (pun intended), she complains!), son, friends or relatives, she now wants to be in the driver’s seat, herself. You can never take her away from action any which way! Last heard, at 54 years of age, she was the eldest “student” at the driving school (and I can bet the most enthusiastic). When reports last came in, she’d conquered the roads of Jabalpur (my native place) on gears 3 and 4. The only problem, she tells me is that she can’t drive in “reverse”. Don’t you know, Mom? – that’s a gear you have never learnt in life!
Sunday, April 19, 2009
My Dad, my hero
Remember that line in Love Story (by Erich Segal, a captivating read of two young college sweethearts) when Oliver introduces his girlfriend, Jenny to his father? (a successful businessman, and a wonderful sportsman – Olympian no less in his student days) He wonders if she noticed that “he’s an inch taller than me”. On innumerable occasions, in school and college, I have experienced Oliveritis myself, as my dad has been and remains an inch taller than me :-)
And, just as Oliver, I always feel that it would be great if someday, I can measure upto him. And just as him, I realize that catching upto my Dad’s achievements is going to leave me panting all through life. (I can relate to the Indian Oliver, Abhishek Bachhan here as well ;-)) And as I am sure is with him, my heart swells with pride when I talk about him with friends and colleagues.
And just as big B’s cup of victories overflows, here comes another feather in my Dad’s cap. At the age of 60, when his peers are mulling deep matters like which pilgrimages to make, my Dad’s choosing which stocks to invest in! When his contemporaries’ daily ritual starts with taking their grandchildren to prep school, he finishes the economic times and browses the latest on the net. And when his friends are contemplating where to “settle” in, he is evaluating which IIM to join for further studies!
For those who are not aware, he’s taken the CAT this year and scored 99.3 percentile. I don’t know if the IIMs keep a record of scores, but I can bet on it being the highest score by a 30+ candidate, ever! I read somewhere that a person’s brain continues to sharpen from birth, is sharpest at the age of 20, and then starts to wane. Keeping that in mind, (no pun unintended) I can only imagine his score had he taken the CAT 40 years ago!
He’s intending to join IIM – Indore in July for a FPM (Ph.D) program in Management. His area of research would be data mining. (IT for the uninitiated) It’s the same institute which rejected my application 10 years ago when I wanted to do an MBA from there. But, as my girlfriends in college realised, so do the professors at the IIMs, that even at this age, he’s the smarter one in the family. After all, he’s an inch taller me!.......always :-)
And, just as Oliver, I always feel that it would be great if someday, I can measure upto him. And just as him, I realize that catching upto my Dad’s achievements is going to leave me panting all through life. (I can relate to the Indian Oliver, Abhishek Bachhan here as well ;-)) And as I am sure is with him, my heart swells with pride when I talk about him with friends and colleagues.
And just as big B’s cup of victories overflows, here comes another feather in my Dad’s cap. At the age of 60, when his peers are mulling deep matters like which pilgrimages to make, my Dad’s choosing which stocks to invest in! When his contemporaries’ daily ritual starts with taking their grandchildren to prep school, he finishes the economic times and browses the latest on the net. And when his friends are contemplating where to “settle” in, he is evaluating which IIM to join for further studies!
For those who are not aware, he’s taken the CAT this year and scored 99.3 percentile. I don’t know if the IIMs keep a record of scores, but I can bet on it being the highest score by a 30+ candidate, ever! I read somewhere that a person’s brain continues to sharpen from birth, is sharpest at the age of 20, and then starts to wane. Keeping that in mind, (no pun unintended) I can only imagine his score had he taken the CAT 40 years ago!
He’s intending to join IIM – Indore in July for a FPM (Ph.D) program in Management. His area of research would be data mining. (IT for the uninitiated) It’s the same institute which rejected my application 10 years ago when I wanted to do an MBA from there. But, as my girlfriends in college realised, so do the professors at the IIMs, that even at this age, he’s the smarter one in the family. After all, he’s an inch taller me!.......always :-)
Thursday, April 16, 2009
My first post!
remember yr first day in school? i vaguely reminisce mine. amidst mama's boys, crybabies and the tremblers, i valiantly told my mom that i would "manage" my day in school. (Obviously, it helped that my classteacher was my aunt, a known family friend)........three decades later, the same feel in the gut engulfs me as i close the gap on my next generation by venturing into the world of blogging :-)........keep visiting and wish me luck.
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