Dear Parents: Your kid might be a ‘Misfit’ and it’s OK!

Dear Parents,

You know what, what is our biggest fear? it’s the fact that at times people like us suffer from Identity crisis. We don’t know who we are, either we’re the ones who wear creative ideas on our sleeves or the ones who know number munching by the back of our hands.

I’ve suffered an identity disorder like this since childhood. I loved science but scored the highest in literature. I knew physics theorems by heart but still carried a sketchbook and color pencils in bag and drew random doodles. A confused kid as I was, I took up engineering only to teach Othello to an English honors student and help her pass the exam. No, I’m not saying that I was some super talented idiot or I was not doing well in my engineering subjects. I’m just telling you, I was a confused misfit and still I’m doing OK!

I studied as hard as I could but my heart always belonged to script writing and fine arts. I can tell you more about classical and folk music than any subject expert of that field.

I switched professions right after I completed my degree. My family and especially my parents had to face all sorts of questions over my decisions. Most of the people thought they were rash and stupid things that I was doing.
Even when I stepped into the business of Social Media Marketing, I realized this was a field dominated by journalism and communication graduates and you could find stereotyping at every nook and corner. People thought that an engineer was an outsider and we’re nothing but geeks who don’t have an iota of creativity.

Keep that story aside as to how I proved them wrong and build what I wanted, bit by bit. What I want to tell you is, your kid might be a misfit, an introvert, or a I-know-what-I-am-doing brat. Please learn to listen to them if you can’t agree with them always. I’m not asking you to back off and let them do what they want always but try to at least understand the world they’re living in which is much different and evolved than yours.

Digital marketing didn’t existed 10 years back and let me tell you the amount of number munching and creativity it needs in equal measures, a faint heart will fall apart too early here. Had my parents been too conservative about the job I chose, I wouldn’t have been this happy all my life and writing this to you. They accepted that their kid wasn’t like others who would be happy in simply graduating with an MNC job and a monotonous life ahead. They put up with my early stages of constant trying and failing and then trying again, my workholic attitude, my unreasonable rudeness when at work and a lot more. They were OK if I came home too exhausted to even give them a call. They endured it all and still kept encouraging.

Your kid is special, let him choose what he wants. Your job is to be vigilant enough to educate him about everything. I never ask kids to believe that, ‘marks don’t matter.’, Marks definitely matter and that’s the reality check every kid needs to have growing up but what you need to tell them is that marks in your favourite subjects are the ones that matter the most! If you love English, score well in it and it’s ok if you can barely pass mathematics. If you’re good at sports, then strive to be the best sportsman in the world. Whatever you do, wherever you go, do what you love and give it all and rest everything will fall in place.

There’s no glory in being a frustrated engineer stuck in a job you hate and there’s neither any greatness in being a creative director. The glory only lies in choosing what you love and killing it with success. You can’t compare a Sachin Tendulkar to a Mark Zuckerberg, they both have toiled enough to attain what they have and that’s all that matters. I know MBBS graduates going for MBAs simply because they don’t want to be doctors all their life and trust me, we find it pretty normal.
I was lucky enough to have a family that understood and accepted the ‘misfit’ kid. I hope that someday your kid also grows up to say the same.

Udisha M.

Header Image Courtesy: Mark Anderson’s Comics

About The Author

An Engineer by degree, Digital Marketer by profession and a Blogger by passion, Udisha is an aspiring writer and a published poet. She has contributed on leading Indian and international defence forums. A born foodie, she has a keen interest in contemporary literature and cinema. She’s biased towards humans with intellect. Reach her on udisha0902@gmail.com

* © MagMug 2017. Unauthorised use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from the author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the Author and www.magmug.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content *

August 7, 2017August 7, 2017

It’s not a You Vs Us Battle: A Millennial’s Rant

I’m a 90s kid (not a kid but a grown up) and it hasn’t been long since I celebrated my 25^th birthday. It’s been more than 3 years in the industry and I think I’ve been trying to work as hard as I could. My college juniors look up to me for some gyaan and free lunches, my parents still think I’m a underdog, my friends are more or less in the same boat, my employer is fine with my progress, clients are reasonable with ROIs I generate for them, my landlord is happy to have a quiet and disciplined tenant, my kaamwali is happy because I’m considerate enough to ask her for a cup of tea on a winter morning, passer-bys don’t notice me; may be an introvert like me doesn’t really needs to be noticed. I pay my bills from my own hard-earned money and sometimes do struggle to make ends meet.

Overall, I’m much like any normal human being on this planet but lately I’ve seen/read so many discussions about millennials that I really get a feeling of being ‘the new animal in the zoo’. At times I don’t understand why the older generations are so obsessed with stereotyping us? Why are we always projected as mindless high-school revolutionaries?

I do agree that we aren’t as experienced as you are but we do have a mind and understanding of our own. We do have a sense of responsibility towards our organisations, our society and towards the entire human race. We don’t beg for kindness from anybody, we work hard to carve our path, trust me it isn’t as easy as you think so. We understand, we are privileged in terms of getting access to today’s technology at a much younger age but not all of us can really afford shitty expensive gadgets.

We wear ideas on our sleeves instead of hearts. We do love the rush, the madness, the newness of places and people. All we ask for is an atmosphere that drives us crazy and compels us to be a better person than we were yesterday. We don’t work for your handsome CTCs or medical cover, we work to help you build a better organisation and fulfil a greater purpose. We look for your guidance not orders. We might sound incorrect at times but we aren’t wrong always, we simply carry different perspectives because we grew up in a much different world and are again building something that will be much more different. You might think that our world will be complex; no it will be much easier. We want to see a world where you get evaluated on the basis of your work not on what you wear to office or how many hours you spend working. We want to build a Do-it-yourself world instead of Do-it-for-me.

Stop judging us on how many dates we pick every weekend or how many months our relationships last. Your generation must have had its own crazy times; do we come asking for it? No!

As far as our loyalties as an employee is concerned, keep giving us innovative environment, we will keep serving you success stories but please stop overrating us! We aren’t celebs or politicians. Not all of us believe in being job-hoppers. We’re a much normal generation that carries all kinds of individuals, some will grow up to be billionaires, some will be their employees, some might just remain being NOTHING, much like in your generation.

So let’s bear with each other and build a better world!

Peace Out!

Udisha M.

Header Image Courtesy: CollegeHumor

About The Author

November 6, 2016November 6, 2016

‘Shop Now’ on Instagram: From Marketing to Sales

instagram-branded-hashtags — Image source: SproutSocial

Instagram has registered a phenomenal growth since its inception. The photo sharing app boasts of a 500 million user base and is only behind its parent company, Facebook in terms of user-engagement. Research says that 7 out 10 hashtags used on Instagram are that of brands and 65% of top featured posts are that of products, this clearly speaks volume of the branding that enterprises have done through the platform. Being an image driven social network, Instagram quickly grabbed the eyeballs of brands and individuals. Verticals like Food tech, E-commerce, Photography, etc. works wonders on Instagram. Not just this, individuals got to the platform to express their personal views, paving way to the rise of a whole new level of ‘influencer marketing’, concepts like; ‘Insta-Meet’ no more sound strange to the Social Media savvy generation.

Moving on, Instagram has shown a great progress in commercializing itself. The introduction of videos, analytics and many more has boosted the commercial power of the mobile app. Instagram is also expanding its market by making it available on Windows 10 PCs. The future of this feature is yet to be decoded but it seems promising.

What took me by surprise is the recent introduction of ‘Shop now’ button for Instagram. The platform will no more be a ‘window shopping only’ place but will ensure a complete shopping experience for the E-commerce portals. Now brands can tag upto 5 products in a picture and can redirect the users to their website. I expect this to be a huge game changer for the brands as well for the influencers. Bloggers working on brands can directly measure the amount of sale garnered because of their participation and can ask for direct share in profit, in the similar way brands can focus on creating more inclusive and collaborative campaigns.

The only drawback which I see now is the rise of ethical issues in advertising. Brands might pay a good amount to Instagram to advertise on the platform but how will the users identify between the real and paid recommendations given by Bloggers/Influencers. This might not be a concern from the commercial point of view, but looking from the Instagram’s credibility perspective; this will create issues as it is still a self-reporting platform which relies on user recommendations for flagging the irrelevant posts.

To conclude, we can only say that right now its time to simply sit back and watch the feature growing. It might become a great success or might meet the fate of Pinterest shop now feature, this genuinely depends on the shoppers.

Header Image Courtesy: www.allure.com

Udisha M.

About The Author

* © MagMug 2016 . Unauthorised use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from the author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the Author and www.magmug.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content *

November 1, 2016November 1, 2016

Tinder: When Dating Meets Marketing

Dating is no more a taboo for the Indian youth. Youngsters are getting to Tinder, TrulyMadly, Happn and a lot more dating applications to find a match. Most of these mobile applications rely on Geo-targeting to help their users find a partner. Tinder alone boasts of a 50 million user-base where more than 85% are aged between 18-34. Tinder offers a great opportunity for startups and enterprises to reach out to consumers with a more personalized experience. However, the brands need to be really smart in making a move. Tinder has some really successful campaigns to boast about overseas but in India we haven’t yet seen any brand harnessing the opportunity well.

The user base of Tinder in India is majorly restricted to metro cities, this is an opportunity and a threat as well. Since, there’s least competition on the platform in India, enterprises and startups can smartly plan campaigns that are engaging and hit the right nerve of the users. Campaigns like that of ‘Ex-Machina Stunt‘ can be a huge success. Bollywood and Hollywood Filmmakers can engage Indian audience with Tinder profiles of their lead actors or villains and set the town talking easily for movie promotion. In the same way, small enterprises or restaurants can attract audience like Domino’s Pizza which allowed Tinder users to swipe right some great deals on Valentine’s Day. In a similar fashion Gillette did a marketing research on Tinder just to find out as to how facial hair affects the popularity of men on dating platforms.

Looking from the Tinder’s perspective, the dating application really needs to allow such campaigns on its platform to boost its popularity in India. Campaigns related to movie promotion/restaurants/social causes etc. will create curiosity among the youngsters and compel them to install the mobile application.

My suggestions for Tinder Campaigns: A find-your-team-match for the Indian Premier League: A campaign wherein the Tinder users can interact with their favorite teams and once they have swiped right the team they wish to support, the teams can tell the users as why they should be with them and redirect the users to their Instagram/Twitter handles. This cross-promotion will help not just boost the social media handles but will increase the branding.

To sum up, being a Digital Marketer, this is going to be an exciting phenomena to watch out for. I am really looking forward to see which Indian brand really takes the risk of starting with a Tinder campaign and making it a success in this world of opportunities yet uncertainties.

Udisha M.

About The Author

October 16, 2016

Visual Marketing: The Game Changer for Digital Marketers

Visual Marketing is no new term in the Marketing world. Biologically validated, Human brain is more receptive towards visual information and takes it 90% faster. The reason why Image and Video are playing a heavy role in era governed by Social Media. The success of YouTube, as the third most visited website after Google and Facebook and Instagram beating Twitter in terms of user count shows that the consumption pattern of Digital world is clearly inclined towards the visual marketer. Even Facebook had to introduce video functions in its Click-To-Website, Carousel and other ad offerings. Virality of Memes and GIFs in Social Media is no hidden fact.

Intel is rocking its Instagram Marketing with stunning visuals, testimonial videos and real time coverage.

Be it brands or celebrities, they all need to get set with marketing strategies using the power of visuals, specially videos. But the bigger challenge lies in being unique with your visual content, social media world offers a short shelf life of posts. You can definitely go back to Starbucks, Oreo or even Intel for inspiration for your Instagram strategy but you can’t really be successful if you don’t offer something which they don’t. These platforms are littered with stereotypical images of sunsets, birds, food, technology, etc. and the user may simply scroll away your content as well. Making the user stop by your brand is the challenge.

Starbucks is one of the biggest brands on Instagram. They believe in making their brand a part of your routine.

This is again threatening for brands who are looking to create memorable brand stories. The right content at the right time is the thing. Brands really need to define their content themes, image templates, video shoots, much in an integrated manner to create impact. Good visuals backed by targeted ads can surely ensure desired ROIs for brands. Other than this, the targeting of online advertisements need to be meticulously planned. ‘My brand is for everyone’, doesn’t really works in Digital world. Customer Profiling based on age, gender, purchasing power, interest, geographical conditions is prerequisite. Other than this, use of relevant hashtags, timings and consistency in postings is equally important. YouTube videos and Instagram Images/Videos, both need to be interactive to ensure regular consumer engagement. Even a simple one-liner after your post text asking for audience feedback can make a lot of difference. Technical brands can rely on infograph for explaining their cases well, research suggests that presenters who use visual aids are 43% more effective in persuading audience. Slideshare has been highly instrumental in use of presentations to increase business outreach.

Other than these, another aspect of Visual Marketing is Live Streaming; the possibility with applications like Periscope, YouTube Live and Facebook Live have created are enormous for the Social Media Marketer. They can be thoroughly harnessed for sneak peeks, product presentations, behind-the-scene footage, question-answer rounds or simply live coverage of your event. You can even conduct contests with Live Streaming on any of the platforms and cross-promote it across channels. This makes your brand more interactive and fun.

Adding to these, usage of videos can also revitalize the Email Marketing for the better. Embedded videos in mailers can give a better glimpse of your message and definitely generate a greater ROI. Embedded videos can be used on websites as well to give a sneak peek into your product.

Coming to the end, Visual Marketing needs to be a priority for every Digital Marketer and I would advice that instead of rushing to generate fresh video and image content, take a back step; look inside your brand and pick what can be marketed. Use and convert your data into video and move forward to innovate more.

Udisha M.

About The Author

October 16, 2016

Poverty is no barrier to one girl’s dream of becoming a doctor

Recently I met an inspiring student: 12-year-old Song Liza, who told me about her goal of becoming a doctor.

Her reasoning is simple: one, because the shortage of doctors in Cambodia means she would be able to get a good job; and two, because she wants to help people in her poor, remote community in this part of northeastern Cambodia.

Medical school is a long way off for Liza, but despite facing more challenges than many her age, she has laid out a series of goals that she knows she must achieve before she can put on that white coat.

It starts with access to education. For the first six years of Liza’s schooling that was easy enough – her primary school is in her community, so she was able to walk to classes. But that will change when she starts Grade 7 this year – lower secondary school – where children attend Grades 7-9 five kilometers away.

Getting to school, then, requires buying a bicycle, but given her family’s financial situation that is out of the question. Liza’s parents were unable to find work in Kratie province, where Liza lives with her grandmother, so they moved more than 600 kilometers south to Koh Kong province where they work for a fisherman.

Her parents don’t earn much – typically just enough to feed themselves and Liza’s two siblings, who live elsewhere while Liza lives with her grandmother, Lou Socheata. In a good month, her parents send money to them but it’s not much – and it’s certainly not enough for a bicycle.

But Liza knows there is always hope. Life for Lou Socheata and her husband improved when he was granted a tranche of agricultural and residential land under the Land Allocation for Social Development Project (LASED) in Sambok Chang Krang commune in Kratie province – a project that received financial support from the World Bank.

Socheata’s family was one of 4,640 families in five provinces – Kratie, Tbong Khmom, Kampong Speu, Kampong Chhnang and Kampong Thom – who received land and livelihood support under the project. Socheata’s husband received three hectares of agricultural land and a 40-meter by 30-meter plot of residential land. There is enough land to grow cassava and corn to feed them and their grandchildren.

But securing an education for Liza – as for many ambitious students from poor, rural areas – is a formidable challenge. Getting into university means passing the Grade 12 exam, and that means Liza will have to attend upper secondary school .

The upper secondary school is even further a Recently I met an inspiring student: 12-year-old Song Liza, who told me about her goal of becoming a doctor.

The upper secondary school is even further away from her village – 40 kilometers, which means a daily commute is impossible. Other parents in Liza’s village who send their children to upper secondary school need to pay $70 a month for their child to rent a room near the school. For Liza’s family, that would be out of the question.

Liza isn’t giving up hope: she dreams of getting a scholarship. At school, she gets advice from her teachers about the key subjects she must take.

“I’m going to focus on biology and chemistry when I start high school. I really want to be a doctor,” Liza says with a smile that radiates confidence and optimism.

Despite her family’s strained circumstances and their own lack of schooling, they’re well aware of how important education is, which is they why will do their best to make Liza’s dream come true. And if it can come true for Liza, then why not for millions more children? To Liza and her peers, good luck and we wish you every success.way from her village – 40 kilometers, which means a daily commute is impossible. Other parents in Liza’s village who send their children to upper secondary school need to pay $70 a month for their child to rent a room near the school. For Liza’s family, that would be out of the question.

Liza isn’t giving up hope: she dreams of getting a scholarship. At school, she gets advice from her teachers about the key subjects she must take.

“I’m going to focus on biology and chemistry when I start high school. I really want to be a doctor,” Liza says with a smile that radiates confidence and optimism.

Written By Saroeun Bou

Content Courtesy: World Bank Blogs

October 16, 2016October 16, 2016

When Engineers define the Future: My Experience at NASSCOM Engineering Summit

You know life is blissful when you get paid to study technology all day long, write about it, travel for it, meet great people, enjoy good hospitality and a lot more. I can never imagine a job as fulfilling as mine. Being working for NASSCOM [National Association of Software Companies] gave me this golden chance of attending the NASSCOM Design and Engineering Summit consecutively for the second year. Ah yay!

Themed on ‘Imagineering for the Digital Future‘, the summit discussed topics like Design Thinking, Rise of Internet of Things, BigData usage and Artificial Intelligence, Self Driving Cars, 3D Printing, Aerospace designing, to transforming a traditional enterprise for a digital age. Presided over by who’s who of the industry, the two-day extravaganza was enough to blow your mind with insights and jaw dropping facts.

Starting with the workshop on connected vehicles led by S. Sreegururaj from Tech Mahindra talked about the rising need of sensor-driven smart vehicles and the market seems to be very receptive. Another masterclass was led by Deepa Bachu from Pensaar India on Design Thinking. One of the most interactive sessions, she helped people create the road map to design thinking and the key point to takeaway: ‘Innovation is not just about products, it’s about business models.‘ Ardhendu Pathak from Airbus conducted various 3D Design activities in his Deep Dive Session. Attendees came up with innovative solutions like how can 3D Printing help in Disaster Management, in Medical conditions and a lot more. Ardhendu summed up beautifully saying, ‘Collaboration is the way of life.‘ Then came the man who won our hearts and left us awestruck by his endurance of empowering India with a Self Driving Car, Roshy M. took the stage to talk about his personal project. His vision of developing extremely sophisticated predictive models that can work on Indian roads and his countless trials inspired every attendee. We wish him all the best and wish that his dream comes true soon.

Moving on to the main conference, R. Chandrashekhar, President, NASSCOM talked about how the lines between the manufacturing and software is blurring. Kevin Ashton, the much awaited speaker and Father of IoT gave us the mantra of technology evolution, ‘Technology moves from Ridiculous to Miraculous and finally to Monotonous.‘

Kevin Ashton left us speechless with his predictions.

Talking on the challenges of enterprise transformation, Paul Humphries from Flextronics confessed that it’s difficult for a hardware company to make software. Day 1 ended with a superb advice coming from Karthikeyan Natranjan from Tech Mahindra saying, ‘Don’t take a bazooka to kill mosquitoes’ referring to solutions fitting the problem.

Day 2 started with a fireside chat with S.N. Subrahmanyam, M.D., L&T and he shared the company’s vision of, ‘Digital Enterprise that builds the physical world.‘ Followed by him, Thomas Jakob from Bosch shared, ‘One of the key barriers we found in Bosch was, it’s not about the technology, it’s about the business model.‘ on the enterprise upgradation. In an exciting revelation, Prassana from Mercedes Benz told us that, ‘The best time for automobile is yet to come.‘ Supporting the fact, Karthikeyan Natranjan also said, ‘It’s going to be an exciting time for automobile industry. We are going to jump 3 curves in 2 decades.‘

The summit was well concluded with the signature statement coming from Silvio Pietro Angie, ‘Design makes the world a better place.’

A learning that will stay with me for a very long time, NASSCOM Design and Engineering Summit was nothing less than a roller coaster ride. It passed in a blink of an eye but has given me the pride of a contributor in its success. To sum up, I would say, ‘Disruption has existed and will tend to exist, you can either be excited to embrace the change or get disrupted and die.’

Udisha M.

About The Author

September 26, 2016September 26, 2016

Hike Messenger: Rise of The Indian Unicorn

Hike Messenger hit the billion dollar evaluation mark in the month of August and grabbed my attention. Following its success story for quiet some time now, here’s a candid take on the mobile messenger’s success.

Hike offers around 10,000 stickers in about 40 languages for ultimate user experience

The recent evaluation of Hike Messenger has set the industry on rage. Founded on 12-12-12, it’s the youngest Indian startup to achieve the feat of hitting the mark of a Billion Dollar evaluation. While the world goes gaga over the success of this 4-year-old Indian messenger app, it’s time to understand what did they do so right?

Founded by Kavin Mittal, Hike Messenger was just another messaging app in playstore and Apple app store till few years back but they had innovations to offer and that was free internet SMSing. That was a time when smartphones were owned by a few privileged ones and internet SMSes were much needed. Hike messenger quickly captured the eyeballs of college going crowd and became a personal favourite for the age group and rest is history.

What fascinates me most is the idea behind the innovation. Kavin Mittal got the idea of inventing a messenger like Hike when he saw a Golgappa seller talking on a primitive phone. He wanted to address the strata of society which is yet to discover the privileges of high-end smartphones. He quickly made progress by providing news and cricket updates on Hike app itself. The smart move clearly showed his vision of capturing a market owned by low-cost smartphones which have less memory to accommodate multiple applications. Cricket being a religion in India definitely has a huge fan following and its updates are must for every citizen. With Hike messenger allowing its users to get them on one single platform without the pain of having another app in phone was a bonus. Other than this, Kavin tied up with leading e-commerce and other portals to provide free coupons which wooed the young crowd even more. From the strategy of giving top-up recharge to those who used Hike messenger more than Whatsapp to introducing privacy mode to protect profile picture and status updates, Kavin has beautifully played on the psyche of young India. The mobile app’s marketing technology has fetched it around 100 million users. On an average its users are exchanging 40 billion messages per month and are spending 120 minutes per week using it.

The success story is not just about the innovation which Hike messenger brought in but also about the way they marketed it. Not long back, the TVCs of Hike messenger clearly targeted the teen and screamed of privacy settings, free coupons, live cricket and news updates which the teens and youth of this generation greatly need. The Social Media Channels of Hike messenger are as quirky and attractive as the coming generation. Their Moment Marketing skills are at par, they don’t miss a single festival or occasion to introduce cool stickers and send wishes to their users. Thus, a much personalized experience. The Digital Marketing spent of Hike Messenger speaks volume of how much they take their Digital presence seriously and this has helped them grab eye-balls of investors. With backing from brands like Bharti Softbank, Tencent, Foxconn Technology group and many more big names, Hike Messenger has proved that it is here to stay!

Udisha M.

About The Author

September 12, 2016

Travel Lessons James Bond Gives Us !

Travelling is a very sassy and interesting hobby. Not only you get to have lots of places to visit but also get to share them. But then, there is traveling and there is traveling in James Bond style. In every Bond movie, two of the most awaited things are the killer tuxedo he showcases and the exotic places where he travels for his next mission. This guy definitely has his travel game on. Be it the business class tickets or his swaggy Aston Martin, he has everything to his standards. The Bond movies have definitely taken the travel expectations to a whole new level.

A suit in hand is always worth its weight

Bond may not seem to be a fan of excess baggage, but one thing that is always on him is his impeccably tailored suit. Whether he would be about to blow an oil tank or cross a sea, he would be always be dressed in his suit which he would flaunt after opening his cover clothes. Likewise, carrying an extra piece for spontaneous occasions,be it a last minute dinner plan or rocking in a casino, you won’t ever regret going prepared.

Speak the language people understand

Going to a foreign country, and the first problems that are inevitable is that of the language. No doubt getting a guide cuts your problems in half, but knowing the local language definitely gives you an advantage. And chicks dig for such men who can take control of the conversation. It’s not well known but Bond is fluent in many languages. Be it joking with the valet in Tomorrow Never Dies, or fooling Denise Richards with his Russian in The World Is Not Enough, Bond shows his excellence in sporting various languages skilfully and that what makes him the man of mystery he is.

Blending in like chameleon

For Bond, his friend is his vodka martinis. But being a classy traveler, he doesn’t hesitate to ditch his drink for the taste of the local bartender. Be it cheering mojitos in Die Another Day or Mint Juleps in GoldFinger, he doesn’t think in trying some new taste. After all shedding old habits and tastes for the sake of new ones are all the riches of keeping traveling as a hobby. Even though Bond insists on keeping his name to identify himself instead of fake identity, these little actions show that he makes efforts to blend in, which is as very essential

Knowing the place of your taste in every place you visit

After a long day of endless traveling and sightseeing the last dilemma, one wants to get trapped is ‘Where to eat?’ Even in The Living Daylight, after the plane crash the one thing, he said that flushed the stress out “I know a great restaurant in Karachi”. Knowing a good place to eat which can please your taste buds is a great asset, especially when you are in strange lands.

Wasting your resources on expensive traveling

Although we see Bond traveling in class, but needlessly wasting on cars when not needed is indeed not his style. After all, money saved is money earned. And it’s also frustrating to spend more on something and not being able to get full back from it. And for Bond, it’s only about wasting bad guys, not anything else.

Yeah, it’s all about comfort

Bond may be careful in spending, but when it comes to hotels, he is all money. When he is walked into a fleabag Bolivian hotel, he went all raged up as he stormed out of the hotel and lead straight to a five-star hotel. Because, rental cars might be something he can make exceptions in, but comfort and peaceful rest period is the secret to a memorable trip.

Technology can be a blessing

Not everyone can get to have sassy gears before every trip as Bond gets to have, but having your phone battery charged, your headphones on and your I pad loaded with movies and books can save you from lots of travelling nonsenses and get off your harassment, as well as are a good friends when travelling alone. And after that, one thing Bond gives you is to bring all the equipment back safe and alive.

* © MagMug 2016 . Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from the author and/or owner are strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the Author and www.magmug.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content *

September 12, 2016

6 Best casinos in Goa Where You Can Get Either Rich or Wiser

Apart from beautiful beaches and sea waves, Goa is also known for being the abode for some of the finest casinos in India, where u can give a shot at your luck. While strolling along the seaside is a memorable experience, casinos give a shot at turning your fortune overnight or making your wiser. So here are 6 places where you can try your fortune.

Deltin Royale

An unforgettable experience of what a real cruise casino looks like; Deltin Royale is one of Goa’s best casinos. With 40,000 sq. ft. area spread over 4 floors, 125 gaming tables, and performance by international artists, it provides a gaming experience like one of the best in the world. Awarded ‘The Best Casino’ in India by West India Travel Awards, it redefines gaming and hospitality services.

Price- Rs 2,000 on Weekdays; Rs 3,000 on Weekends

Timings- 24 hours a day, Entertainment from 7pm-1am

Location- Noah’s Ark, RND Jetty, D Bandodkar Road, Panjim

Casino Pride

A landmark of glory and glamor, Casino Pride Group of casino and hotels are a mark of hospitality and gaming experience. With five casinos and 2 stars in its honor and the title of India’s Best Casino, it provides a wide range of national and international games like Blackjack, Roulette, Teen Patti and Andar Bahar; it is an ideal option for people with money on their mind and luck on their side.

Price- Rs 1500 on Weekdays; Rs 2000 on Weekends

Timing- All day, Entertainment from 9-11

Location-Captain of Ports Jetty, Panaji, Goa

Deltin Jaqk

The Deltin Group has emerged to be one of the best casinos in Goa. With 50 tables and 30 slot machines over a 12,000 sq. ft. area, it is a perfect place for all level of players. It has a learners table which teaches the game to new players before they get ready for a big move, as well as tournament table for the big players. Five-star buffet, Luxurious hotels and 3 floors of entertainment, this is a place one should definitely visit.

Price- Rs 2,000

Timing- All day, Entertainment from 9 to midnight

Location-Fisheries Jetty, Panjim

Casino Paradise

Located in the 5-star hotel Neo Majestic, this casino is located a little away the hustle bustle of the city. Offering a wide variety of games like American roulette, Blackjack, it is a crowd favorite because of cheaper rates, and unlimited buffet.

Price- Rs 700

Timing- All day

Location-Neo Majestic Hotel, Pororvim

Chances Casino and Resort

Located about 6km away in the beautiful Vainguinim Valley, this is the largest and oldest casinos. Although it is located in an odd location, the casino provides entertainment which is no less than any other famous casinos in Goa. With 53 rooms, live performances on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and with international games like American roulette, mini-baccarat, and blackjack, this casino is one good package

Price- Rs 2,000

Timing- All day

Location- Machado’s Cove, Goa, Dona Paula, Goa

Goa Caravela Casino

Opened in 2009, this is India’s first live casino located in Panjim, Goa. Anchored in River Mandovi, the casino is located on the M.V Caravela. The 215 ft. long cruise easily serves 300 people and promises an entertaining evening out with games like American Roulette, Mini Flush, Casino War, and Indian Flush amongst other games, all on live tables. In addition to that, it has a private gaming room, below 18 games and toddler’s rooms as well as air-conditioned multi-cuisine buffet. Overall, this gives a very promising evening.

Price- Rs 2000

Timing- Evenings

Location- Fisheries Jetty, D B Marg, Panjim – Goa, Panjim, Goa.

September 11, 2016

Eight World’s best Under Water Restaurants

Al Mahara

Located on a man-made island in Dubai, the Al Mahara is an underwater restaurant. The name Al Mahara translates to ‘the oyster shell’, in Arabic, so seafood cuisine is present in plenty. The restaurant is also well known for its exotic wine list for which it has won the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence in 2014. The place is completely surrounded by thick glass and gives an aquarium like view with all sea life swimming by, completely a view to remember.

Aquarium Restaurants

Present at Houston, Nashville, Denver, and Kemah, they offer different size tanks and different view, but the cuisine is same. The aquarium is a huge 15,000 gallons and their highlights include sawfish, guitarfish, and rays. Its seafood-rich menu includes calamari, lobsters, lobsters mac and cheese and crabmeat. Other options include burgers, chicken cheesesteaks etc.

Atrium Bar, Berlin

The Atrium Bar is one of its own kind restaurants. With 25 metres high cylindrical aquarium called ‘AquaDom’, which hovers directly above the bar, is the biggest in the world. With 2, 00,000 gallons of water and over kinds of fish, it is the main attractions of the restaurant. Then comes the 22 paged big menus which have a large variety of wines, cocktails, beer, snacks, pizzas to offer, you are suing to find your taste in it.

Cargo Hold Restaurant, Durban, South Africa

Built on the uShaka marine theme park, this replica of the famous Phantom Ship is the ultimate experience of underwater restaurants. The built of the ship is especially given a rusty, broken look. The aquarium is also built the boat. The restaurant offers many seafood cuisines, like gnocchi, kingklip, duck and ostrich carpaccio appetizers, as the sharks swim around the aquarium all the while. The cargo also holds options for holiday themed occasions and parties.

Forbes Island, San Francisco

Forbes Island, as the name suggests, is indeed an island restaurant. While the restaurant is addressed at Pier 41, guests need to take a water taxi named ‘Titanic’ from Pier 39. As the stairs descend, they reach the dining room located under water, decorated in a ship gallery theme. The menu includes some mouth-watering dishes lie wild mushroom, crab, scallop salad, salmon, just to name a few. There is an also diverse wine selection.

Ithaa Undersea Restaurant, Maldives

This restaurant is special in its own ways: It opened as the first underwater restaurant in the world, in 2005, it has also been ranked as the Most Beautiful Restaurants in The World and also one of the most romantic and expensive restaurants. The restaurant is situated 5 meters below the surface, it features an exotic view of the sea-life and surrounding coral gardens, as exotic is the menu which includes agnolotti of duck, beef tenderloin, and others.

Ossaiano, Dubai

Not only it is said to be a world class underwater restaurant, it has also named the Best Seafood Restaurant. 65,000 species of different sea life swim past you, as the guests are served Catalan based seafood dishes from award-winning chefs. There’s also a bar, afternoon tea service with lively music for the guest’s entertainment. The restaurant is decorated in gourmet style, spiral stairs and setting that is sure to make your evening mesmerizing.

Sea, Maldives

Glass walls, the glass ceiling and completely surrounded dining room is what define the Sea Restaurant at Maldives. This restaurant serves dishes like poached lobster, pan-seared Canadian scallops, wagyu beef Wellington, assorted fish and seafood medley. It also has a wine cellar, ranked as the World’s Best Wine List in both 2014 and 2015, as well as Wine Spectator Award of Excellence.

September 11, 2016

Travel diaries – 7 bollywood celebrities and their favourite destinations

When it comes to talking about the Bollywood Celebrities, then Indian Fans go crazy about knowing more and more information about them. It may be about their cars, Houses, their personal life information and other such. Some of the Famous Bollywood celebrities and their favorite destinations all around the world includes:

Salman Khan, Dubai

Whenever this great Bollywood actor gets leisure time from his shooting schedule, he likes to stay and hang out at him farmhouse in Panvel. But not only this, apart from staying at his farm house he likes to visit Dubai every now and then. He has been wandering in Dubai many times and it seems like Dubai is the favorite destination of Salman Khan to get a sigh of relief from his busy hours.

Shahrukh Khan, London

This Actor is one such Actor whose favorite spot for spending free time is London. He even owns a villa in this glamourous city. In fact, not only London but he can also be seen enjoying with his Family at Dubai or Paris. And after all the tiredness from all around the world, this famous Actor loves to come back at his House in Bandra, Mumbai namely Mannat.

Aamir Khan, London

Mr. Perfectionist-as he is known in the Bollywood Industry. And he is rightly known so as this actor chooses some particular movies as per his choices. This Actor hardly gets free time from his busy schedule and has a much lesser time for traveling. But he loves to enjoy the scenic beauty of buildings and grasslands of London and can be seen wandering in London many of the times.

Anushka Sharma, Italy

Italy love of Anushka Sharma is simply unavoidable. Whenever this beautiful Bollywood actress wants to get away from the hectic schedule and the limelight, she favors taking off to Italy. She loves to enjoy the beauty of Italy and can’t avoid the regular visitings to this beautiful city. So, for this PK Lady, Italy is the most favorable destination from all around the world.

Katrina Kaif, London

This beautiful tall Bollywood actress is from London and her favorite destination is London only. She keeps visiting London every now and then and loves to spend time with her family. This is why the first love of this leggy actress is London. Katrina loves to enjoy and be in the crowd of London.

Hrithik Roshan, South Africa

Bollywood’s Greek God – yes, this is Hrithik Roshan. One of the best dancers of this Bollywood Industry. This famous actor loves to spend quality time with two of his little boys in South Africa. He did not seem like stopping himself from having visits to this beautiful country.

Kangana Ranaut, Paris

One of the beautiful actresses of this Bollywood industry i.e. Kangana Ranaut cannot stop to show her love for Paris. Her love for Paris can be known from the fact that she loved to play her role in the movie ‘Queen’ as the shooting was done in Paris. So, whenever she gets bored with her monotonous schedule she takes off to Paris.

September 7, 2016September 7, 2016

MagMug Story Contest

MagMug Story Contest – Search For India’s Best Story Writer

Maximum “Likes & Shares” gets the prizes (The Audience Judge You)

First Prize: Rs 3000 • Second Prize: Rs 2000 • Third Prize: Rs 1000 • T shirts to Top 10

E-MAIL YOUR STORY as a Word File Attachment to: contact@magmug.com
In the Word file, include the title and the story and a short bio about the author.

CONTEST GUIDELINES:

1. One submission per individual

2. Submissions should consist of one short story or extract from a longer work

3. Entries should be unpublished works and should not have won previous awards or contests. All entrants will be notified of the results by e-mail by October 30, 2016.

How To Submit:

 Write this statement: Here is my submission for MagMug Story Contest 2016

 Title of Story: Word Count: Name: Address: Email Address:

 Brief Biographical Statement: I warrant that I am the sole author of, and have exclusive rights to the enclosed material. I hereby release full rights for the enclosed material or any segment or portion thereof to MagMug and its sponsors, and authorize MagMug to use my name and work in any publicity or promotions for MagMug. I also understand that if my story is not shortlisted for publication by the magMug, the rights will revert back to me on October 30, 2016.—(your full name)

DEADLINE: October 9th, 2016

Submissions not following the guidelines will be automatically disqualified from the contest.

Disqualified Entrants will not be notified.

August 27, 2016August 27, 2016

The Last Interview Of My Life: An Army Officer’s Account

What is the craziest thing you have ever said (or done) at an interview and still got the job?

To give you figures, there were around 3,00,000 lakh applicants, only 15,000 were called for SSB, 126 were selected in SSB and out of that only 62 made it to the final merit list. The success rate is touching 1%. In this selection process, interview plays an important role, as this is the only stage when you are one to one with the officer. Here you have a chance to mark your impression of arrival.

My Army interview took place at SSB, Allahabad and My Interview started with a Bang, the dumbest thing I could ever do in my life.

On entering the Interview room, there were two visible paths, so I turned left from the door and Shocked I was. There was no one (What the Fish) now I came to know that the Officer was behind me and what a fool I have cut out of me, I was not having the courage to turn to him but I had to.

After turning to him and facing him , I was gone out of blood and color that what reaction will he give now, but he didn’t responded just gave a smile.

Me: Gudmorning Sir(firm voice)

I was sitting some 15 feet away from his table so that he can see my gestures and as well as I have to be on-top of my pitch to convey my answer.

Officer: Gudmorning son, please take your seat.
Me: Thankyou sir.

Officer: What is your name?
Me: (now this is very funny ques) Sir my name is ####

Officer: Is this your photograph(showing my PIQ From)
Me: (Looking at the pic) I said Yes Sir.

Officer: (looking at me) Doesn’t look like. Why haven’t you shaved your beard?
Me: Sir, I have never shaved in my life.

Officer: But somethings, you do first time in your life.
Me: Sir I believe in my originality, I don’t want to project any false impression.

Officer: (In a Rude tone) Why are you in Jeans-Tshirt? Do you think you have come here for some fashion show?
Me: Sir, I didn’t got chance to change.

Officer: Don’t you think, formals give you a Gentleman look?
Me: Sir, Formals can give a Gentleman look to your body, not to your manners and etiquette.

Officer: I didn’t get you.
Me: Sir Vivekananda traveled across the globe in just a piece of “Kesariya” cloth, He addressed many International forums where all the people wore Suits, thus giving them a Gentleman look but still they followed the preaching of a person who was not in Suit. Ours is a country where tailor does not make you a Gentleman, it is the character which makes you the Gentleman.

Officer: (Smiles)Ok
Officer: You are from which University?
Me: Sir,VTU (Vishweswaraya Technological University)

Officer: Who was Vishweswaraya?
Me: He was a renowned civil engineer.

Officer: That’s it, then Why do you think he is so famous?
Me: He was awarded Bharat Ratna.

Officer: What is Bharat Ratna?
Me: Sir, Bharat Ratna is the highest civilian award in the country. This is given every year to the individual for their contribution to the mankind.

Officer: Then, Who is awarded Bharat Ratna this year?
Me: Sir, No one.

Officer: Then you said it’s given every year.
Me: Sorry sir, It’s given to deserving individuals, not necessarily every year.

Officer: When was the Bharat Ratna given last time?
Me: Bhimsen Joshi in 2009.

Officer: It is highest civilian award of India, but has also been given to foreign national, are you aware of that?
Me: Sir, Nelson Mandela and mother Teresa were given.

Officer: What is PVC and who was the first officer recipient?
Me: Sir, it is war time highest gallantry award, I am not sure about the first recipient.

Officer: Major Somnath Sharma.
Me: Thankyou sir.

Officer: Your university is in Belgaum, why is Belgaum in so much of news everytime?
Me: Sir, Belgaum is called as the industrial capital of Karnataka, as belgaum is strategically located on the border of Maharashtra and Karnataka. So both the states are claiming belgaum as their city.There is equal number of kannadigas and Marathi residing in belgaum. So due to this claim game belgaum is in news.

Officer: Claim-game (smiles) Do you think there can be some solution to it?
Me: Sir, solution has already been found and implemented.New vidhan soudha has come up in the belgaum. it is under construction sir, once the contstruction is complete and then it would be illogical for maharastra to claim over belgaum.

Officer: I don’t find south Indians socially good? How did you adjust?
Me: Sir, that might be your personal experience but I beg to differ from you because I didn’t had any such experience and most of my friends are south Indians only.

(Always remember the golden rule of interview “Never spit venom”, what so ever condition may be. Later I found that interviewer was south indian, they try to bring out the negative qualities in you)

Officer: You are from UP, how is the administration in UP(looking at my PIQ)
Me: Governance is not in that good condition, Money is being wasted on construction of parks which otherwise could have been utilized for the betterment for the citizens.

Officer: In just one line tell me about Lucknow?
Me: (took 5 secs pause) Sir, May I have the permission to speak in hindi?

Officer: carry on.
Me: “Lucknow nawabo ka shehar hai jahan chicken khaya bhi jata hai aur chicken pehena bhi jata hai.”

Officer: hahahahah (he broke into laughter) I am impressed.
Me: Thankyou Sir

Officer: Tell me something about your friends?
Me: Sir, I have many friends to name few Abhijeet, Mridul, Rohit, Mukesh, Bunty, Saurabh, Debo.

Officer: Who is very close to you?
Me: Abhijeet.

Officer: Why? any specific reason for that?
Me: Sir, he has supported me in my good and bad times. He was always there when I needed him.

Officer: What is the meaning of Abhijeet?
Me: The one who never loses and always wins every field.

Officer: What you have learned from him?
Me: Sir, he has taught me to be more social and open to all. He has taught me to help and get helped.

Officer: It means you are not social?
Me: No sir, I mean initially when I was in class 9th,then I was not that social.

Officer: What is the meaning of Mridul and what impact he had on your life?
Me: Mridul means soft and gentle, hence he has made me more fun loving.

Officer: Don’t you think being social and being fun loving is the one or the same thing?Me: Sir, Abhijeet taught me how to understand and solve others problem, whereas Mridul taught me how to live and enjoy each moment of life.

Officer: Do you have a Girlfriend?
Me: No sir.

Officer: (Smiles) Then you have wasted your college life.

Officer: To whom you are more close father or mother?
Me: Mother, because she is the one who has been taking care of us since past 12 years while my father was working out of the station.

Officer: How often your father comes to Lucknow?
Me: One’s in 15 days.

Officer: Who is your role model?
Me: My father is my role model, and I feel he is the best father in the world. He has been my friend, guide and mentor.

Officer: If given an option to choose one, Who would you choose amongst the two?
Me: Sorry Sir, I don’t want to answer this question.

Officer: Ok, Tell me something about your village?
Me: Sir, my village is around 150 kms from Lucknow, The population of the village would be approx 500 and the village still doesn’t has electricity supply, water supply and road. Illiteracy rate is around 80%. I had conducted a education drive “Hastakshar”, which was very successful. I started with 8 people and at the end it reached 412. Now atleast they can read and write. Moreover now they can sign on the documents no requirement of thumb impression.

Officer: Congratulations, a great initiative.
Me: Thankyou Sir.

Officer: You have written your hobby as Teaching and you have also taught under “Teach India” Program? (I had mentioned that in PIQ form)
Me: Sir, I was part of Teach India, Belgaum zone and use to teach kids of government schools. And in my hostel also I teach my juniors.

Officer: You have won prize in Business acumen?
Me: Sir, that was a national level technical fest, in which I had to prepare a business plan to sell the given product.

Officer: Ok. Suppose you have 5 mint toffee industries in various parts of the country. Each industry due to geographical conditions produces different taste of toffee. Due to different tastes you are loosing customers. What will you do?
Me: Sir, may I think for 1 min.

Officer: Please ( He started writing something)

After exact one min.

Officer: So whats the big idea?
Me: Sir, The different raw material which is being supplied to different industries can be collected at one industry, the calibration can be carried out. Then this caliberated raw material can be supplied to the different industries for the production of final product which will have the same taste all over India.

Officer: Ok but what about the transfer cost. (he took pause)
ok leave it(I guess he was satisfied with my ans)

Officer: How Biotech will help Indian Army?(Biotech is my engg branch)
Me: Sir, Biowarfare is no new concept, it has been used in WWII and WWII,where rats were infected with virus and then were left in enemy area.

Officer: Suppose you are in battlefield, how will you use Biowarfare?
Me: Sir, we can infect a dead body with epidemic virus, such as virus which causes chickenpox, and then we can air drop the dead body in the enemy territory. The cost involved in this is negligible. One gm of virus wiil cost 1000 Rs and can kill 1 lakh soldiers, on the contrary to kill 1 lakh soldiers you need ammunitions in tons which will cost you crores of Rupees. Future war will be based on the biowarfare.

Officer: He asked some question on carbon fuels.
Me: I said sorry sir, I don’t know the answer.

Officer: India and Pakistan have a very troubled relationship. What are the reasons you think for this?
Me: The first would be the tussle for Kashmir which is very much in news these days and the second would be the ceasefire violations in the past year along the Line of Control.

Officer: So what is the whole issue about Jammu and Kashmir? Can you elaborate?
Me: Sir, The story goes back to the time of independence and the integration of princely states with India. Maharaja Hari Singh of Jammu and Kashmir wanted J&K to be autonomous whereas the Indian leaders wanted to integrate it within the territory of India. Also, our first Prime Minister being a Kashmiri himself had an affinity towards Kashmir. Due to Pakistani attacks on J&K, Hari Singh had to take help of the Indian forces and thus an Instrument of Accession was signed and since then we share a special relation with J&K under Article 370.

Officer: And what could be Pakistan’s interest in J&K?
Me: Sir, I am not sure, but I can take a guess. It’s related to the predominant Muslim population in Kashmir.

Officer: Have you ever done a Trekking?
Me: Sir, I have never done a trek but being sportsman I will love to do trekking if given a chance.

Officer: What are the things required for a long distance trekking, any idea?
Me: (since I had not trekked, So I had not much idea about this) Sir, may be a hand towel, a water bottle. I cannot think of anything much.

Officer: (Continuing with India Pakistan) there is a constant tussle between the two and each other draws from the other’s strength. What do you understand?
Me: ( At this point I turn a little blank) I said something which I don’t remember.

Officer: How much spiritual you are?
Me: Sir, I am a firm believer of God.

Officer: What is Buddhist view on God?
Me: Sir, Buddhism neither accepts nor rejects the existence of God. The main concern of Buddhism is alleviation of human sufferings.

(See the sudden transformation in the question, at the same time by maintaining the logical flow of the thoughts)

Officer: Any prominent personality you know, who converted to Buddhism from Hinduism?
Me: (After thinking a while) Dr B R Ambedkar.

Officer: What was actual name of Dr B R Ambedkar?
Me: Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambavadekar.

Officer: Are you sure?
Me: Yes Sir.

Officer: Then what about Ambedkar?
Me: Sir, surname Ambedkar was given to him by his Guru.

Officer: Ok. You must have heard of the poverty line, have you heard of something called the empowerment line?
Me: No sir, I have not heard of this.

Officer: Let’s say I were to create an imaginary empowerment line, what do you think would be its parameters?
Me: Sir, the criteria for poverty line is economic based . But, the empowerment line would have parameters like access to health, education, justice, economic independence and political independence. (I also don’t know what I was speaking)

Officer: If the number of people below poverty line is 200 million then how many do you think will be below empowerment line?
Me: Certainly much more. Because even if people are above the Poverty Line, they are dependent, not empowered.

Officer: What do you think we need to empower people – a universal health care or Right to Food?
Me: Sir, I think it’s not the question of ‘or’ but it’s a matter of ‘and’. Looking at our current situation we need both.

Officer: You are Capt Smart and you are made the commander of a team, which is going for a raid on enemy post. While on move, you noticed that two men saw your team. What actions you will take?
Me: Sir, operation being in enemy area, we can’t afford to loose the secrecy of our move. We will..

Officer: (He Interrupted me in between) You are commander Capt Smart. Don’t use we, use I.
Me: ( I started again) Sir, I will apprehend them and take them along with me, till the operation is conducted. So that the secrecy of the mission is maintained.

Officer: In that case, they will be extra burden on you. What could be the alternative?
Me: (Not able to think) Sir, may be we can tie them with rope or something.

Officer: (Bursts into laughter) Son this is not a movie, this is operation which involves life of your men.
Me: (Puzzled)

Officer: You have to kill them, your country comes first always and everytime (In a firm voice, banging his hand on the table)
Me: (I was literally scared, and this was the first moment when I got the feel of Indian Army, I did not utter a word)

Officer: We are not dealing with profit and loss, we are dealing with lives and death.
Me: Yes Sir( punched back with a firm voice)

(Just to ease down the temperature tof the room, he diverted the topic)

Officer: Your hobby is also to read books?
Me: Yes Sir.

Officer: What kind of Books you read?
Me: Autobiographies, Motivational Books and History Books.

Officer: OK, How you would have been different, if India was still under British rule?
Me: Sir, instead of giving you interview, I would have been fighting you with the slogans of Inquilab Zindabad. Your country comes first always and everytime.

(Golden rule of Interview- Always catch hold of 2-3 words from Interviewer’s mouth and frame the sentence and serve them back. Believe me, they will love it. This is exactly what I did by saying “Your country comes first always and everytime”)

Officer: (Smiles) You want to fight me? (Then he writes something)

Officer: Ok son, Some people are born great, some people achieve greatness and some people have greatness thrust on them. What do you understand by this?
Me: Sir, there are some people who are born with a silver spoon in their mouth, who do not have to do much to achieve greatness, whereas others through their efforts and persistence acquire skills and expertise which make them great-these belong to the second category. But, some people are so noble and so sincere that they don’t have to make any effort to be great. Greatness automatically comes to them.

Officer: But doesn’t thrust sound derogatory.
Me: Yes Sir, it might sound that way but I take it in the positive sense.

Officer: (looking at my email id) What can born2win mean?
Me: Sir, it might sound a little arrogant, but for me winning is about not being defeated. Picking myself up each time I fall down. I always say to myself, you are born to win, how can you accept defeat, it is a sin !

Officer: It was nice talking to you. Best of luck for your future. Do good and don’t leave your hobby of teaching. Your interview is over.
Me: Thankyou Sir. Pleasure was all mine.

One thing ,to be very frank, before entering the interview hall, my mind was completely blank.

Personality test is all about, How you think, What you think and most importantly in which way you thin. So just be yourself. Enjoy your Interview.

Result: Got selected with AIR- 01.

via Viktor Alpha‘s answer on Quora

Views in the article are that of author, MagMug doesn’t endorses them.

Images for representation purpose only.

August 20, 2016August 20, 2016

I Will Never Grow Up

I will never learn to grow up.

I will always be that little girl with larger than life dreams.

I don’t want to give up on the thought of fairy tales.

I still want to believe that I will fight the demons and win over them.

I still feel that someday, somewhere I will meet my Shrek who will accept me even if I look like an ogre.

I will never learn to grow up, never ever.

I still go crazy over Pokemon and I am not ashamed of it. I still listen to ‘I am Barbie girl.’ even if it’s no more considered cool.

I don’t want to grow up, I fascinate Peter Pan more than batman or any other super hero because he had the courage to go back to childhood even when he had aged in numbers.

I still need my mom like I used to when I was 5.

I will never grow up, I don’t want to.

– Udisha M.

About The Author

August 20, 2016August 21, 2016

Mobile Innovation: When Big Challenges Come In Small Packets

‘Do you remember the last time you booked a cab or ordered food on call?’

‘Do you remember the last time you uploaded a picture on Facebook via Desktop?’

‘Do you remember the last time you used a physical calendar to check the date?’

No, you don’t and that is the Big Change which Mobile Technology has brought into our lives and its impact tends to be increasing day in and day out.

With the advent of mobile-age, technology is shrinking its size to fit into the palms of the user. This phenomenon is only set to grow with the Internet of Things and automation growing from mere buzzwords to a way-of-life. The mobile technology has moved ahead of being restricted only to the tech-savvy verticals of the industry, it’s causing impact even in unconventional arena like, fashion, Medicare, fitness, military, etc. Mobile Innovations will bring about distinctively more changes in next 10 years than it happened in the last 10-15 years.

With the major ROI coming from Mobile devices, e-commerce and Social Media giants are focusing towards the Mobile Innovation. But what are the challenges that Mobile Innovation has thrown that it has driven the industry nuts?

One of the key challenges and the opportunity that the industry faces is, the entry barriers are relatively low for the newbies. This has put at risk the market leaders who are constantly exposed to a slew of inventive new competitors capable of rapid expansion. One of the greatest examples can be PokemonGo and Prisma, these innovators captured the market in a very short period of time putting other Mobile Apps and Games at loss. A key learning which innovators can derive from their success that these apps banked on the emotional quotient of the consumer. Similarly, Hike Messenger smartly targeted the young consumers and made it to the Unicorn club, becoming the fastest Indian Start-up to attain the feat. The Messenger app is giving a tough competition to messaging giant Whastapp. The success story clearly shows how important it is for app developers to devise a good marketing strategy according to the changing consumption pattern.

Secondly, Mobile Innovation is led by Hyper-Adoption but also runs with the risk of Hyper-Abandonment. Statistics say that more than 23% of mobile-apps are abandoned by the users after a one-time use. Games like Angry Birds, Temple Run, Candy Crush and Subway Surfers which were once a rage, now hardly find any takers because of lack of innovation. Similarly, once considered as top internet calling apps, Viber, Line and Tango lost it once Whatsapp introduced the calling feature.

Thirdly, the lack and risk of regulations in the Mobile Technology space. While many of the mobile apps are accessing the unwarranted personal data of users, industry is finding it hard to deal with the BigData explosion which Mobile Tech is causing. Authorities need to create flexible regulations which can monitor the industry, yet restoring the freedom to innovate.

Fourthly, the need of enterprise collaborations in mobile space. Ixigo recently launched it’s Cab booking app named Ixigo Cabs that let’s you choose from service providers on one single platform. The application offers options from Ola, Meru, EazyCab, Jugnoo and many other cab services. The mobile app has been a huge hit as consumers now don’t have to download multiple apps for a similar purpose. However, this new innovation is a threat to Uber, as it hasn’t collaborated yet on platforms like these. Similarly, social shopping apps like Wanelo and networking platforms like YikYak are steadily capturing the market, as consumer patterns are changing.

To sum-up Mobile Innovation can be the best and the worst that can happen to the industry. The right kind of innovation at the right time is a quintessential to survive. New players can draw inspiration from giants like Facebook, Google and Amazon, who constantly upgrade themselves to stay in the market, whereas the giants need to stay on toes and keep a tab of rising competition because acquisitions are no more a way of survival.
– Udisha M.

About The Author

An Engineer by degree, Digital Marketer by profession and a Blogger by passion, Udisha is an aspiring writer and a published poet. Reach her on udisha0902@gmail.com

August 13, 2016August 13, 2016

These mystifying cities are hidden under the depth of water since ages!

Tyno Helig, UK

There are great mysteries on this Earth which are still unknown. And one of them is the mystery of this city. It is said this submerged city is actually a submerged castle which is the result of a curse by a noble man who was killed by a common man who was in love with a lord’s daughter.

Dunwich, England

It is believed that this city of England was as big as London and the reason behind the drowning of this city is said to be its rough weather and erosions. And due to all these conditions Dunwich finally submerged under water with all the people and structures.

Willow Grove, USA

The reason behind the drowning of this city is the creation of dams around this city after the World War. This creation of dams led to the floods and as a result the city submerged under the Dale Hollow Lake.

Canudos, Brazil

This small town of Brazil is said to get submerged under a man-made lake and the reason behind it is the creation of dam by the idea of Farmers so as to escape from the conditions of Droughts.

And so the people were drowned under a man-made lake.

Pre-Incan Ruins in Lake Titicaca, Bolivia

This place is believed to be a holy place. The city drowned has all the temples, terraces, houses and many other such physical facilities which are submerged from 1500 years. The city (as per the belief) was known as Wanaku and was home to hidden stolen treasures by Spanish kings.

Baiae, Italy

This Roman city used to be a vacation spot of rich people. And the reason behind the drowning of this city is believed to be sudden increase in the water level of hot water springs from Volcanoes. This finally became the submerged city of Italy.

Doggerland, North Sea

It is believed that this was once inhibited by Mesolithic Tribes. The reason behind the submergence of Doggerland is believed to be the continuous movement of tectonic movement in Europe and England. This led to the water level increase and a final submergence.

Gulf of Cambay, India

Scientists believe that this lost Indian city is probably the oldest city on the planet may be older than Harappa and Mesopotamia. And the reason behind this scientific prediction are the 9500 years old skeletons and teeths. This lies along the West coast of India in Gujarat and has an inlet in Arabian Sea.

Allit Yam, Israel

The city which developed civilization for about 8000 years ago and was located along the Carmel coast. The city then, however, was completely submerged and washed out because of repeated attacks of Tsunami.

Shicheng, China

It was founded more than 1300 years ago and was believed to be governed by Ming and Qing. The city submerged for about 40 meters under the water. The drowning of this city is believed to be because of the role of Gravity.

So its time to pack your diving gear..for these amazing destinations !! A dive in the past..

August 10, 2016August 10, 2016

The CHANGE – A Short Story

~ SELVI ~

” Selvi ! How long are you taking? What the hell are you doing anyways? ” screamed Radha from downstairs.

” Right in a minute lady ! “, Selvi cried out. Taking her sari pallu she wiped her forehead. Swish swooshing the floor clean and carried the bucket downstairs to be met by a glaring pair of eyes.

Selvi lowered her gaze immediately. 6 years she has been working for this house and she still can’t seem to muster the courage to face her landlady.

” Amma….”

” Are you even aware of who these people are? They are gonna be here any moment and look at you. Drudging around like an old lass. Buck up now and get yourself moving ! I want the place spick and span in the next half hour “.

Saying this, Radha walked away in a stern manner, her head in the air.

*Her girth and determination made all the difference*

Selvi buckled up her pace and started hurrying to get things done.Who would want to listen to this female’s disgracing speech again. No matter how high you go in life, the rich will behave like poorly bred adults, she muttered more to herself.

A momentary flash ensued and she remembered how her kids yearned for Pongal.

Probably if I do well, get in her good books, maybe she will provide me well. What with this being Pongal and the festival spirit lingering in the air. With that, her thoughts continued on a trail, and the next hour went on in her chores that she could forget everything about her misgivings.

Life has been hard on her but still she woke up everyday to a shining sun and a bright blue sky thanking her stars for the blessings she received in the form of her kids. 2 kids and a drunkard for a husband she had an indomitable spirit always remaining upbeat and cheery even when things were going downhill. Her strong willed personality acted as an iron pillar supporting the family.

Soon her work was done and she took leave from her mistress. Just then she was summoned inside.

Radha counted out the money and handed it over to Selvi, her monthly salary.

” And by the way, tomorrow being Pongal and everything, I wanted to give you this “. Saying so, Radha handed over a bag containing old clothes. ” Sara hardly wears these, and maybe you can put them to some use”.

With a light-hearted smile Selvi spoke. ” Amma. I wish to tell you this. I being your maid doesn’t mean I don’t have my dignity. And while the rich lavish in new things, why should we be denied the pleasure of wearing new clothes? “, she asked indignantly. ” I feel touched by your gesture ma. I really am. But it’s a festival and my kids deserve better than somebody’s worn clothes which has been discarded because they had outgrown it or they don’t match with the latest trends. I don’t question your intentions but your attitude hurts me”, she spoke, a huge lump in her throat obstructing her voice.

” Beggars cannot be choosers”, came the harsh reply, the steel in Radha’s voice unmistakable.

” Just to clarify Mam, I am not what you call , ‘ a beggar ‘. I earn my money fair and square. And I definitely don’t need somebody’s used items. Now, if you will excuse me. I have better things awaiting me back home”, and with that Selvi turned her back to an astonished Radha.

Off she walked, away from that place, her head in the air and the roads ahead blurred in her blinding vision.

– Pavithraa Swaminathan

August 9, 2016August 9, 2016

Maj. Arya’s Letter To Every Soldier In Kashmir

SOMEWHERE IN KASHMIR
Dear Soldier,
During the last few weeks Kashmir has seen choreographed bloodshed, at a scale not witnessed in the recent past. And you, my friend, are in the middle of a media firestorm. They say that you have not exercised adequate restraint. They sit in air-conditioned TV studios and claim that you are a killer.
Over 3000 of your brothers have been injured in the past one-month, some critically. Many have been martyred. No one knows about this because for those who disseminate news, the country is inconsequential and you are expendable.
And this is how they want you to die – unknown, unwept, unsung and unforgiven.
All throughout your training and your service, you were taught that the enemy is across the Line of Control. I am afraid that is no longer true. The LoC has shifted from Kashmir to Bangalore, Delhi, Hyderabad and Mumbai and to hundreds of towns and cities across India. That is where the new enemy is, our own fifth column.
This enemy does not use guns. He uses social media. He uses lies and half-truths to tarnish your image. He tells common Indians that you, the Indian soldier in Kashmir, are a rapist and a murderer. Are you flabbergasted and heartbroken? Welcome to the new war, my friend, a war without honor and rules of engagement.
The enemy knows that you are undefeatable and so he has decided to break your morale.
You ask me what is this “azaadi” that the Kashmiri separatists want? You say that they have their own flag, their own penal code and their own constitution. What more could anyone want? My friend, they want Kashmir to break away from India and merge with Pakistan. That’s why whenever there is a mob on the streets of Srinagar you will never see a Kashmiri flag. You will only see Pakistani flags and the flags of the Islamic State (ISIS). This is the new reality.
Kashmiriyat died the day the first Kashmiri Pandit was killed in the Valley.
Kashmiri separatists love “funeral politics.” Have you ever wondered why the protestors who are hurt during clashes die when they could have easily been saved? Because Pakistan trained terrorists stop the ambulance midway and don’t allow it to reach the hospital. When the injured person bleeds to death, there is a grand funeral the next day. A new martyr is created out of thin air.
Doctored and fake images of bleeding women and children with pellet wounds are being circulated on social media, and young, gullible Indians are being told, “Look, this is what your army does in Kashmir”.
I am afraid for you because I know your own death cannot break you, but the image of a bleeding 5-year-old child easily can. You are a father, too. They want to break your heart so that you lose the will to fight.
But there is hope. Millions of Indians who were dormant are waking up. They now know the truth. They were scattered earlier. They are uniting now and every day they grow stronger. They may not wear the uniform but they are soldiers in spirit. And when the time comes, they will stand with you till the very end. You are not alone.
Soon, the sun will complete its westward journey. It will soon be time to clean your AK 47, fill your magazines and prime four HE-36 hand grenades. Your company commander is waiting for you. He will give you your mission brief for tonight.
Intelligence sources from Brigade Headquarters have confirmation that there are 5 Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorists holed up in a single-storied house on the outskirts of Chowkibal, Kupawara. Your mission is to “neutralize” them.
It is 0300 hrs and a large Chinar tree close to the house is blocking the moonlight. This is the opening that you need. You will ask your buddies to quickly surround the house, blocking all exit routes.
As you stealthily move towards the house with four of your buddies, your rubber-soled boots ensure pin drop silence. You position yourself under a window near the main door, your AK’s fire selector switch now on “automatic” mode. The team’s number two takes out a HE-36 hand grenade and pulls out the pin and starts reverse counting. Five, four, three, two, one…the grenade is lobbed inside, followed by a loud explosion after 4 seconds. You kick the door open and storm the house.
There will be gunfire, smoke, screams and explosions. And then there will be the sweet stench of blood. Tonight, you will kill.
Good luck and happy hunting.
Major Gaurav Arya (Veteran)

*Content in article are personal opinion of the author, MagMug doesn’t endorses them.*

August 8, 2016

PM narendra Modi trying to do damage control on Dalit atrocities for political gains: JD (U)

NEW DELHI: The Janata Dal (United) on Sunday states that the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi was looking at electoral considerations while implementing the damage control efforts to the Dalit-attrocities adding that it was half-hearted and not complete.

“He is doing or attempting to do some damage control because Dalit anger and outrage and that of minorities have now become pan-Indian in scale. So this is the half-hearted attempt much too late to do damage control with political electoral considerations in mind,” says JD (U) l

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing before flagging off "Run for Rio" at National stadium in New Delhi on Sunday. PTI Photo by Vijay Verma(PTI7_31_2016_000072A) — New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing before flagging off “Run for Rio” at National stadium in New Delhi on Sunday. PTI Photo by Vijay Verma(PTI7_31_2016_000072A)

eader Mr. Pawan Verma while giving an interview to ANI.

They are forced and are endowed with no better option than to accept this new rule, he says. Further adds that the prime minister has now started noticing the ruckus the Dalit are creating.

However, Prime Minister Modi have reacted strongly to the actions of the Dalit people in Gujarat where many have opened shops contradicting their own belief if Cow protection popularly known as “Una”.

He says there are many “Gau Rakshaks” (Cow Protectors) who are starting this protest to cover their illegal actions. Cows die of eating plastics and these people should stop garbage strewing on the streets, he said during the Town Hall meeting at the Indira Gandhi Stadium Complex for the commemoration of the second anniversary of MyGov.in.

With his involvement, the country is promised of some relief from such severe actions of the Dalit people.

August 6, 2016August 20, 2016

#MagMugReviews: The Karachi Deception

The Karachi Deception written by Shatrujeet Nath is a gripping tale set in the backdrop of Indo-Pak rivalry and cross-border terrorism. The fiction revolves around Major Imtiaz, a super efficient Indian Army commando and a member of discreet Unit Kilo. He is given the duty of Project Abhimanyu, an ambitious plan devised by RAW and Indian Army Intelligence to kill a globally wanted terrorist and underworld don, Irshad Dilawar.

The story carries real life examples of Bombay Cinema Blast and a lot more and Irshad Dilawar’s character is starkly similar to that of Dawood Ibrabhim. The story starts on a very high note with Major Imtiaz being assigned two of the best men to execute the operation. The plot is intelligently crafted to give you a glimpse of as to how intelligence agencies work and the book keeps you gripped till the first half. But the moment Major Imtiaz realises that he has been breached and Project Abhimanyu is compromised, the story starts losing its authentic nature. It feels like watching an Abbas Mastan flick where everyone is cheating on everybody, which is usually a rarest of rare case in an institution like Indian Army. The secrets which get unfolded at the end are too quick in nature and don’t give the reader enough time to digest.

Shatrujeet Nath no wonders has conceptualized the story well, usage of language and other technical information deserve a thumbs up. It took me hardly a day to complete the book but I kept wondering for a long while as to what could have happened if the author would have written this particular incidence differently.

Overall it’s a good read for those who are looking for easy-to-read thrillers but definitely not for serious readers who believe in exploring every scratch of the plot.

Udisha M.

About The Author

An Engineer by degree, Digital Marketer by profession and a Blogger by passion, Udisha is an aspiring writer and a published poet. She has contributed on leading Indian and international defence forums. A born foodie, she has a keen interest in contemporary literature and cinema. She’s biased towards humans with intellect. Reach her on udisha0902@gmail.com

August 6, 2016August 6, 2016

He Won An Olympic Medal and a Nobel Prize

As incredible it may sound Philip Noel-Baker, an athlete, statesman and advocate of international disarmament won the Olympic medal for 1500 mt. race in 1920. He strongly opposed the wars and served in an ambulance unit during the First World War. His unit was decorated with multiple medals and saved numerous lives. He was a professor of International Law and after that served as a Minister in Winston Churchill’s coalition during the Second World War.

He helped to draw the UN Charter and campaigned for peace and international disarmament life-long. He was awarded a nobel prize for peace in 1959. In an interview, he said, “War is a damnable, filthy thing and has destroyed civilization after civilization – that is the essence of my belief.”

Adding to his qualifications, he also wrote and recorded a popular song at the age of 91.

Team MagMug salutes the multi-faceted stalwart, a man who wrote history.

Information source: www.nobelprize.org

August 6, 2016August 6, 2016

Ikraar – e – Mehfil

DIL KI GEHRAI KO KISI NE NAAPNA CHAHA…

TO WO KHUD HI USME DOOBTA,DOOBTA AUR DOOBTA CHALA GAYA…

HOSH-KHABAR NAHI USSEY APNI…

ikraar-e-mehfil — ***ikraar – e – mehfil Pic credit : http://news.nster.com/***

ZALIM MUJHE JAAN KE KYA PAA SAKEGA…

MAGAR USKI CHAHAT NE KUCH ARMAAN JAGAYA…

TO HUME LAGA KI SHAYAD WO BHI HAMARA TASAVVUR CHAHTA HAI…

KAHI TO KOI HOGA SHAYAD…

JO APNAEGA USSEY JISE SABNE DAFNA DIYA…

WAQT NHI KISI KE PAAS HAMARI KHAER-KHABAR POOCHHNE KA…

JANE KYU FIR SAB APNE TAJURBE BATATE FIRTE HAIN…

CHAHA HUMNE BHI TAMAM UMRA KISI KO APNA HAAL BATANA…

KOI SUNNE KO RAZI NHI, ISME HAMARI KHATA KYA HAI….?

SARI UMRA TO LAG GAYI SAMAJHNE ME…

PAR AB BHI MEHFIL ME KUCH KEHNA CHAHE TO LAFZ NHI NIKALTE…

APNI TAKDEER SE APNI ZINDAGI NAAPTE HAI HUM…

AE KHUDA TU HI GALAT-SAHI KA EHSAAS KARA DE HUME….

— Shakti singh

About the writer: Shakti Singh is an amateur poet from the City of Nawabs, Lucknow. He’s pursuing CS and has a deep interest in poetry and music. His writings reflect the symbiotic nature of languages, Urdu and Hindi of the Awadhi region. Stay with us to read more of his work.

August 2, 2016August 6, 2016

You ain’t a Tourist; I ain’t a Traveler

This is not uncommon for us to find articles, blogs, quotes and pictures on the internet which make a comparison between a traveller and a tourist. There is no complication in defining the two words in different ways if they want. The origin of the word “Travel” is most likely lost to history, so all the definitions circulating today are mostly based on different perceptions. According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, the word comes from middle English word “Travelen” , which means to torment, labour, strive or journey and the earlier from an ancient French word “Travailler”, which means to work strenuously or toil.

Also, as per Oxford Dictionary, the word “travel” means “To make a journey, typically of some length”; word “Traveller” is defined as “A person who is travelling or who often travels”; and the word “Tourist” means “A person who is travelling or visiting a place for pleasure”. Based on their definitions alone, the two words “Traveller” and “Tourist” are pretty much the same. The only difference can be attributed to the frequency or the purpose of travel. But, the meaning of both these similar words have been modified quite effectively over the years majorly owing to the way these have been used and shared on the internet between the users.

In a gist, the contrast that I established based on the new definitions passing rounds on web was that Tourists love to travel with everything planned well in advance, be it destination, routes, mode of transport, stays, expenditure, food, people accompanying them on their tours and everything which they feel is needed. Whereas, Travellers are the ones who take off for unknown destinations (pre-dominantly alone) based on their instincts without much of a plan and see things as they come across to them. Those are the definitions I believe to be fair to quite an extent in today’s scenario.

I am listing a few quotes from some renowned people, which can regularly be spotted on the social media networks.

“Please be a traveller not a tourist. Try new things, meet new people and look beyond what is right in front of you. Those are the keys to understand this amazing world.” –Andrew Zimmern

“Tourists don’t know where they have been; Travellers don’t know where they are going.” –Thomas Theroux

“The traveller sees what he sees; the tourist sees what he has come to see.” –G.K. Chesterton

“A good traveller has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.”- Lao Tzu

A post on the internet I came across also said:

“A tourist observes, sticks out, complains and is oblivious; while a traveller experiences, blends in, is curious and sensitive.”

There are endless quotes and pictures out there to promote travelling, which in almost all cases is someone’s personal opinion and which is great to have too. The not so great side is the way people have perceived it through these quotes and comparisons and how this difference is being portrayed all over the internet belittling the ones who plan their journeys in advance, The Tourists. Undoubtedly, planned travel can give you an equal amount of experiences and pleasure as an unplanned travel could, given you do the things the way you like them.

While travelling across India myself, I was all alone initially and I also did not plan my travel when I first left. But, there were months or days in between when I travelled with friends and family with the whole itinerary planned and ready. It pretty much kept on happening on and off during the whole year of my travel. That made me a traveller for a few months and a tourist for the others. I did not find anything inappropriate or undesirable in planning my trips once in a while. It is true that it takes a lot of time and efforts to plan (which has it’s own fun) and accomplish a trip that suits your taste. It is all worth it if it makes your trip as delightful, pleasurable and exciting at the end as you want it to be.

It’s irrational in my personal view to demean any of the two ways of travelling when in the end all that matter is the movement and experience we get out of it. Having the same idea, which is to see the world, I believe everybody has both a traveller and a tourist in them. If the new definitions are to be believed, I guess we need both of them while we move; it all depends on how you want to travel and who you want to be in that particular moment. The world is huge. Let us try both ways of seeing it.

-Anant Gyan Singh

August 2, 2016

A SISTER’S LETTER

He was rummaging through his cupboard to find the small pills which lulled him to sleep. The cupboard was huge and finding one small bottle was an arduous task for him. It had been three full months since the onset of this life taking disease. People thought of him as retarded but none among them knew that he has been suffering from acute depression.

He was always a jovial child. He scored well throughout the 10 years of his school life. He was among the top five position holders of his school. A bright child, they called him, who was adept in many extra curriculars. Badminton, swimming, painting, pottery and writing were his muse. What other quality could parents yearn for? Teachers were always happy with him. He always won accolades for his school. Everyone was proud of him. Little did they know the oodles of negative emotions he carried in his heart. How could they even guess when he was always smiling? He never cried, never got angry and didn’t speak much.

This little gentleman never told people that he was bullied for two continuous years. He never told people the shit he went through when he was just 10 years old. His classmates used to make fun him. They would call him ugly (though there were many uglier people than him in his school) but that bunch of bullies always chose him as their target as they know he was weak at heart. He used to ignore them but late at night, when every one was in a deep slumber, he cried his heart out. Years passed by and he learnt to ignore people. Suddenly, there was a fall in his marks. He wanted to prove all those people that he was not ugly. He started working hard and made his mark in the school. But bullies have no bounds. They now resorted to use his falling marks against him. They called him dumb when all he was, was innocent. They called him a food- the same fool who topped in his class. They called him a gigolo as he never had any girlfriend. He was a true gentleman who never broke a girl’s heart. He never believed in flings but always in true love. How unfortunate that the bullies were not able to find the diamond in his heart.

Now he stood on the cold floor searching for sleeping pills. He wanted to end his life for once and for all. Suddenly, he found a small blue envelope. It was his sister’s letter. She had been in the USA for the past six months. She was well aware of the inner turmoil he was going through. He remembered each and every word she wrote to him in that letter. The end said, “There will be many people who would taunt you for what you are. You will always have to work hard to make them shut their mouths but if you quit midway, you will be damned. Life is all about dying with the things you never acquired by birth. Work hard, stay positive and overcome your fears.” With tears in his eyes, he kept the letter close to his heart and began with his late night studies. He thanked his sister for being his inspiration and telling her the way of life. Never in the history had a sister’s letter saved the life of her little brother.

– Ayushi Gupta

July 31, 2016August 20, 2016

Stones Vs Pellets: Which Side Are You?

A lot of discussion and debate has been done over the Kashmir issue, and I have always stayed quiet over it. But I got a few request saying as to why being an aspiring writer of Indian Military History, I haven’t yet let it out? Am I one of those ‘Bhakts’ who are supporting BJP or am I one of those ‘intellectuals’ who are supporting the Kashmiris.

Let me tell you, I am none. I am just a rational human who believes in supporting what is right after studying the cases well.

I heard people saying, ‘They are just throwing stones? Why pellets are being used on them?’

Then let’s consider this case, not long ago, ‘stone-pelting’ by mob was a capital punishment for accused in many parts of the world [even in India]. There used to be a pedestal and the mob was allowed to surround it with accused standing in the middle of it. They used to pelt stones at a brutal velocity and frequency. The one on pedestal used to run in all possible corners of the small area to find an inch where they could save themselves. But people being merciless kept pelting stones at an unarmed man or a group. They usually lost their vision, hurt their temple, got their private parts injured and a lot more serious injuries before they succumbed to a painful, merciless death. This practice was banned in most part of the world because it was inhuman, even the worst of criminals and terrorist didn’t deserve it. ‘It was a strict violation of human rights.’

Your security forces are getting to face this situation in Kashmir almost every now and then. They are surrounded by a brutal crowd and are heavily outnumbered. The crowd off-course of localites knows the nook and corner of their towns, surrounds the forces in a vicious circle and pelt stones on them. Not just this, many a times these men even use petrol bombs, tear gases and everything they can arrange for to hurt the security personnels. Even in this situation, the forces are asked to maintain, ‘maximum restrain’ and not fire until and unless the situation is ‘out-of-hand’. Do you know the definition of ‘out-of-hand’? Most of the time it’s when the security men are on a verge of getting martyred in a protest which is a norm for the Kashmiris.

Have you ever thought of these men, as they too have family which cares for them. Try putting your own friend or a family member in place of that innocent jawan who has joined the defence forces thinking he will ‘serve’ the nation. He will live protecting you and me. Try thinking that what if he doesn’t fires a pellet or a tear gas to save himself and his men, what kind of painful death he will die?

If you say that pellets aren’t a solution then give me one. Sitting on a coffee table and discussing about this situation or applauding a journalist who is biased towards the Hurriyat to ensure her TRPs will bring out solutions? I don’t think so. Let me tell you, at times I don’t really care. You blame the current government and the security forces for being this oppressive. Then a quick reminder for you, Article 370 or AFSPA was not introduced by the present government in Kashmir, it’s the result of the ‘secular’ and ‘liberal’ leaders we had in past. And the situation now is so bad that gunshots need to be used no matter you like it or don’t.

You say killing of Burhan Wani was not judicial. What if a terrorist like Burhan Wani comes and points his AK47 on your forehead while you are vacationing in Kashmir? Should the security forces would have waited for a situation when Burhan Wani would have kidnapped some film star and killed him? May be that would have justified it, because in our country a film star can get away with murders but a soldier doing his duty can’t.

I am not saying every Kashmiri deserves to die but if they are perpetrating against our nation, they will get an answer. Indian Judiciary allows you to murder in self-defence. My forces have done that in the interest of the nation. I am sorry for the Kashmiri families who lost sons, brothers, husbands, fathers even if they were like Burhan Wani but I can’t see families mourning over the fact as to why they sent their sons, brothers, husband, fathers to guard a nation like that of us.

You think I am a ‘Bhakt’, yes I am a ‘Bhakt’ of truth. I don’t wear khadi and carry a jhola and comment on situations which are not in my control. I believe in being rational and supporting what is right. You want the pellets to stop, then stop the stone-pelting first. If they can’t, we can’t!

Udisha M.

About The Author

An Engineer by degree, Digital Marketer by profession and a Blogger by passion, Udisha is an aspiring writer and a published poet. She has contributed on leading Indian and international defence forums. A born foodie, she has a keen interest in contemporary literature and cinema. She’s biased towards humans with intellect. Reach her on udisha0902@gmail.com
Image sources: outlook, India Today, Google

July 31, 2016July 31, 2016

Premchand & Potter !! What’s in the Date?

“Differences of habit and language are nothing at all if our aims are identical and our hearts are open.” – J.K.Rowling

“Like timidity, bravery is also contagious.” – Munshi Premchand

Considered as one of the greatest authors of the 20th century in their respective languages, it came as a surprise when I realised that Munshi Premchand and J.K.Rowling share the same birth date.

It’s not the date which astonishes most but their ability to create some of the most memorable characters & bringing them to life, which enchanted readers both young and old. Creating a generation of readers, who once story ended, would strive for more to read and understand the real world.

It’s astounding when we were touched by the story of two bulls, Heera & Moti or a simple House elf Dobby. From Mirror of Erised to Hamid’s ‘Chimta’ you just pour your heart out for the protagonist.

From Devasthan Rahasya to Godaan or The Philospher’s Stone to The Deathly Hallows, what gives you ability to compare the two is their artistry to create a magical world around you which makes you one of the characters in the book.

Often termed as ‘Upanyas Samrat’ – Premchand was influenced by Gandhian movement, his novel touched the dark side of the society. While most of his writings dwell in the socio-economic status of the society and talked about the poor and affected, the humour was rare and black . The protagonist was usually a common man, and story about his struggle, loss & courage. What kept the story intact was the potency of narrating the ongoing in a poor person’s voice. His story was a means to connect poor to rich, man to woman, citizens to government.

Rowling created an imaginary world for her readers which had characters that were easy to relate. From like of a mean kid Draco, naive Neville, cheeky Fred & George, the cool kid Ron, to the wise teacher like Dumbledore. But what connects you to the book is the depth of these characters in the story, the story of outcasts; where an orphan kid finds love in others, a geeky girl is accepted by peers and a fat bullied guy turns to be the hero. It’s a story of friendship, betrayal, loss, courage and most probably every said or unsaid emotion that a human heart can interpret.

Different to their genre, different to their era, different by the language but what they shared

was creating a world of possibilities where the characters had their own flaws, own vigour and were true to themselves. The characters felt like one among us and the world surreal.

On this day I wish you …….

जन्मदिन की शुभकामनाएं – श्री मुंशी प्रेमचंद

&

Happy Birthday – J.K.Rowling

Ohh & if I missed

Happy Birthday ‘HARRY POTTER’ too…….

** Harry Potter is way better than LOTR**(Even the Movie)

– Just another Fan

July 30, 2016July 30, 2016

The Story Of a Sadist

THE STORY OF A SADIST

He was a broken man. Being in love was the best feeling he ever had. He had an abusive past – a dipsomaniac father and a sweeper mother. His mother never had any time for him. Being their only son, he had to spend long lonely hours. For the whole day, he was either at the Government school or locked up in his room, cooking meals for his abusive father. His father used to beat him up but he never complained to his mother. He studied hard and moved out of his house at the age of eighteen. Now he is a manager in a multinational company.

Years passed by and he met a girl whom he loved more than his own life. She used to hold him when he had nightmares. She used to croon to him until he fell asleep. She used to take away all the horrors of his childhood with sweet kisses. He loved her with all his power and might. Their relationship lasted for two years. Thereafter, she left him saying she had found another man. He wept and cried and cursed God. He shouted out to him, “Why me among them all?” He slowly learnt to cope up with his fear and grief.

He started drinking like his father and came home with a whore each night. The women of the street used to whisper sweet nothings in his ear. One night a whore said to him, “Give me all your pains and I will make them disappear like a witch.” She said she loved him and wanted to help him overcome his grief. He obliged.

He tied her hands with a handcuff and legs with a piece of cloth. He told her how hopeless and broken he felt. Then he brought a sharp knife from his kitchen. It looked like a butcher’s knife. He slowly cut off her long mane and made her bald. He then proceeded to make small gashes and wounds on her unmarked body. “I feel as if I am being stabbed a hundred times”, he said with a lunatic look in his eyes. The girl was filled with acute horror. Her eyes became moist but she kept quiet thinking he will leave her when he is done. After an hour he was done with inflicting this pain.

He still did not uncuff her. “I feel like a fish which has been taken out of water. You see I am suffocating and you said you want to take all my pains? Your demands shall be fulfilled”, he said with his eyes rolling in their sockets. He was laughing like a mad man. The whore realised what situation she has been trapped in. She realised he was a sadist who liked inflicting pain on little girls. There was no escape and no one to help her. She tried to wriggle free from the grip of the handcuffs but in vain. He slowly bought his hands to her neck and pressed it with all his might. She tried to kick and smash him with her tied legs but failed. Everything was blurring and lack of air made her choke. He continued laughing like a maniac. At last, her horror filled eyes came to a deathly standstill. He softly murmured in her ear, “I gave you what you wanted. Its my turn now to take the same medicine.” Saying this, he hanged himself from the ceiling fan, thus bringing an end to this gruesome act.

– Ayushi Gupta

July 28, 2016

Welcome to India’s First Startup Hostel

Bangalore, the silicon valley of India has entrepreneurs flocking around not only from India rather the entire world. What a better place in the country would it be, to bring them together and brainstorm to make the world a better place.

In startups luxury comes at a cost, every penny saved could be a day more in the market. In such cases a hostel, where you could meet like minded people to interact, motivate and share comes as a boon to budding entrepreneurs. .

Founded by Shashikiran Rao, the co-founder and head of business development at Construkt, and Karan Bahadur. The hostel not only provides budget beds to budding entrepreneur but also provides ‘butter’ to mingle over discussions.

A 3,500 sq feet independent bungalow in the plush neighbourhood of Indira Nagar, the four-bedroom Startup Hostel has the capacity to host 20 people at a time. A stay for a night comes for only Rs 850, and includes facilities such as a self-catering kitchen, WiFi, lounge space, laundry, meeting spaces and more.

The hostel is not only open to the entrepreneurs but also to the collegiates who are aiming big or looking for opportunities in the town. With facilities like self catered kitchen, laundry, event and discussion space and lots of coffee. Rao & Bahadur are looking for possibilities to expand this idea to other parts of the country.

-Team MagMug

Source 1 & Source 2

July 26, 2016July 26, 2016

Beautiful tears

A story by Dove for her lifebouy.. ❤

A few months ago when they saw each other for the first time..Days passed and turned in to weeks and months. It seems like a digit but during this time every breath they took has narrated the feeling of longingness. Lonely nights, Dove’s amateur fights and Lifebuoy’s meaningful phone calls.
They finally met 9 months later…

When they first met it was Lifebuoy waiting for her standing tall next to his only love of life – his only car. ? But, This time it was Dove’s turn to wait for him as Lifebuoy is going to arrive in her city.

Dove to herself: OMG!! He is coming.. Just with the thought of “his coming” she blushed everytime she cross marked the calendar and thanked god. She reached at the decided place and decided to take a stroll into the nearby park until he arrive. She was busy analysing the statue of the ruler of the city and her phone rang..

He: Hello…kaha hai tu?
She: Yahi pe pass vale garden me..ok ok I saw you..stay there am coming. ?

She reached till him wanted to hug him but knowing his nature she decided not to hug him publicly. They traveled till hotel in an auto Dove’s favourite transportation mode and his nightmare like travel mode. Hahaha but that is how he is! <3 They hugged each other followed by a gentle kiss. I am so happy that you came ignoring all the odds she whispered. I so wanted to love and he wrapped her in his arms once again and kissed her forehead. A silent tear of love rolled down her cheek. <3

———

Reader’s note: Lifebuoy- The hero of our story is a very sensitive same like all the other good men of this planet, he weighs words before uttering them and one such beautiful man. <3

———-

They rested for a while in each other’s arms before going for the sightseeing. The city which was unfamiliar for her too turned magical instantly. They went for boat ride, palaces, lake side and visited 1000 years old temple. Meaningful silence surrounded them while appreciating beauty of the city. They lived once again like happily ever after.. 🙂 Returned back after the long tiring tour actually he was tired after travelling thousands kms for her.. during the bed time her never ending questionnaire started: Did you miss me? How many times a day and all those deliberate and annoying for him KBC session started as he loves to sleep and “not to let him” is her solemn duty. He took her in his arms and replied: Nah! I didn’t. Just to annoy her. She said “ok” and she kissed him knowing the fact that how much he actually loves her.

The next day arrived and they went for shopping. She was constantly busy thinking how blessed she is to have him in her life. He was a kind of man we can put into the category of a beautiful man. Even though he was a family oriented guy he always manages to find time for her no matter what. This time he travelled almost 1000kms to fulfill her wish and finally the time came which none of them actually like. Time to depart. Before leaving the residence Dove asked to LB how many times do you remember me?

LB replied in his sensible man like manner: Every time I look at any girl, I remember you. In fact I always miss you so much..sensing her sadness she decided to stay strong and this time she pulled him towards her and took him in her arms, hugged him tightly and kissed him.

“Kya baat hai that was awesome” he teased her. And they both laughed. They thanked god for making it happen. <3

His words are enough for her to understand his feelings. It was not easy for him either. She started crying in his arms wanting him not to go. And the tears of love- “the beautiful tears”, had filled her eyes. It was uncontrollable for her knowing how disturbing it could be for him. But she cried her heart out in his arms any way. Tears might have manny different types and kinds or reasons. But for her it was all beautiful to cry for him, with him and for “not to leave without him”. It all started seeming meaningless in that particular moment to her as she realised how ghastly the clock was tick-toking. He kissed her forehead and hold her in his arm tightly for some time saying “yehi hi tto hoon, kaha kahi jaa raha”
With his kind word the “sob sob session” touched the new heights. It was unbearable for her to watch him go. But as usual taking care of her he asked her to leave and reach at her place safely. As soon as she entered inside the room the silence of the empty room made her miss him even more. She started missing him like anything. She went near the temple and asked a question to god, “This entire universe is yours including my pumpkin but can’t you give him to me? Can’t you make him mine? It is Dove’s nature to punish her loved ones by asking questions. Automatically she remembered the dress she wore on the previous day. It must have got his smell intake she thought and took them out from her bag. She hugged her clothes sensing his presence in the surrounding and slept in her bed. Tears roll down her eyes whenever she missed him but she calls them “tears of love”.

“The beautiful tears of love”.

He called her and pampered her saying just stay strong, The more you smile, the sooner I will arrive. And kissed her over the phone.

She followed her command and replied “I know and I am waiting……” then she insisted him to sleep, as he was going to travel thousands kms back again, and kissed him back.

Some stories are not meant to be end they are meant to be loved and lived. Such was their love unique in their own way and incomplete without each other. ❤

©Prakriti.

July 25, 2016July 28, 2016

AYHLIS: The Unclaimed Community We All Should Fear

With so many of us turning into “Mr./Ms. Know-it-all” today, it doesn’t take much time for a conversation to turn into a discussion first, second into an argument, then into a quarrel and eventually into a fight, owing majorly to the egotistically supreme nature that these Messrs and The Misses have developed lately, which is predominantly based on absolutely nothing logical at all. It is shockingly ludicrous to find people who have such tenacious standpoints, judgments and perceptions about things they know about only by a hair’s breadth. You can find them everywhere. They are in your offices, in your gym, in trains, buses, flights, at bars and clubs, on social networking forums, in your neighborhood and friend circle, even in your family. And they talk. They talk about whole collection of subjects as if they really know them (they are deluded too :D), be it education, career, politics/government, environment, policies and rights, medicine, armed forces, terrorism, finance, technologies, countries, law, food, travel, science, history, religion, taboos, socialism, communalism, secularism and a lot more. And also, by obscuring these pitiful vapid little minds even more, the media today is adding more subjects to the unending list of topics to debate upon by these resolute scholars of modern India; a few examples of such subjects would be Tolerance/In-tolerance, Nationalists/Anti-Nationalists, Feminism/Misogyny and more.

The scary part is that these half-literate, attention yearning preachers with copious amounts of energy to blabber and the same amount of confidence if not more, are plenitude. You might not believe me when I say all that. That would obviously be not a shocker for me as I myself got face to face with this hollow specie of humans only when I took off my earphones in public, apparently to relax my eardrums, but the whole idea back-fired in an instant. I found everyone around me talking and talking utter non-sense, and that too about stuff that a 6 year old could have comprehended of being “utter non-sense”. What was more of a hair raiser for me was to watch people buy what this unique specie had to offer them in these highly provocative conversations as I watched their heads swinging from top to down in affirmative motion which made me laugh and worry at the same time. If you want some proofs of their absurdity you can always check-out the comment section on any post (preferably something related to religion or an ongoing political controversy) on any of social networking forums and you will know what kind of mess they create down there. Five minutes of good read can make you dizzy and make you long for your favorite alcoholic beverage.

It has become imperative to realize the dangers and consequences of being too close to this majority class named AYHLIS (Attention-Yearning-Half-Literate-Scholars). Let us know AYHLIS some more and find how can AYHLIS be dangerous for other sensible minorities.

They are mostly permanent citizens of this country which means they play role in choosing the government by using their wit based on the partial knowledge they accumulate either through television or through social media or through a fellow AYHLIST (Attention Yearning-Half-Literate-Scholar).

They always have an audience to persuade. Those with lack of education, experience and who fall into even lower strata in terms of logic, sense and knowledge than the members of AYHLIS are in abundance too and these are the ones who turn out to be AYHLIS’ fans and followers at later stages.

With confidence as high as a hippie high on crystal meth and ketamine combined, its hard for you to make them understand anything whatsoever. It’s easier to make a dead cat understand that it is dead.

Their confidence and defiance helps them build a lot of credibility among equally untutored audience, which with the help of their breathtaking level of ignorance and lack of prudence are capable of raising a mob, and The Mob is powerful than everything else in our democratic nation.

AYHLIS have to have a say in every conversation no matter if they are a part of it or not. They have a viewpoint on everything that they are even remotely related to or otherwise, and they would rather die forcing their viewpoint upon you than understand yours; that is the level of commitment and integrity they show towards their goals.

They believe in forceful edification, what we call naseehat in Urdu and muft ka gyan in Hindi. The topics for edification can vary from your family to your relationship with your spouse, from your career to what car you should buy, from your hairstyle to what friends you should choose, from what you should wear to when you should get married and to whom. One important thing to note here is that the member of AYHLIS community need not be an expert in any of the fields mentioned above to provide you with edification.

One key characteristic of AYHLIS is that they never perform where no one is seeing because then the whole point is lost. They yearn attention hence perform in full public view which makes social network their favorite area of operation. Next come restaurants, pubs, trains and other public places. It is not uncommon to spot these members with fellow members to seek support when the argument somehow gets weak.

Mastering the art of imitation has aided them in keeping the conversations going even if they do not have enough substance to talk about. They imitate each other, news anchors, their favorite actors, poets, sometimes even you and everyone else they could and yet they claim their originality.

Two of the most important attributes that this community has earned during the course of their journey are their inability to understand sarcasm and the ability to change the direction of the whole conversation altogether. Both these attributes were important to be listed together as they go hand in hand. Their inability to understand sarcasm or satire of any sort, even if in their support, is complimented by their ability to turn the conversation to another direction preferably towards some kind of spiteful controversy in order to reach their goal of insulting the silent and sane, making themselves bigger somehow.

The best way to identify an AYHLIST is that you would never hear them say “I don’t know”. You start the topic and they will talk about it, though making sense is not a pre-requisite. They also master the art of contradicting themselves whenever required. They are known for wearing double standards on their sleeves and hypocrisy round their waists.

I personally would want to warn you against this new but fast growing community of becoming the biggest potential threat to your mental harmony and hence make an appeal to you stay away from it and pledge not to become a part of it yourself.

^ Issued in public interest

-Anant Gyan Singh

July 22, 2016July 31, 2016

16 Best Road Trip Circuits Across India

Get over ‘Best roads’ & ‘Best road trips across India’, we decided to make a detailed Road trip circuit across India. The best possible route on the maps, possibly the best season and approx. distance. While the argument for the best possible road trip is never ending, we have tried to cover as many famous and must visit tourist destinations across the nation.

1. Delhi Leh Circuit

About: Gateway to heaven:- Passing through some of the world’s highest passes, this is one road to get high on your road trip.Often termed as rider’s Mecca, Delhi Leh circuit is considered one of the best trips to test your riding skills, endurance and mental toughness. From Heat waves of Delhi & Punjab to Bone Chilling winds across the cold desert of extended Tibet plateau. This is one MUST road to visit.

Route: Delhi – Chandigarh – Manali – Darcha – Sarchu – Leh – Drass – Srinagar – Jammu – Amritsar – Delhi

Best Season: July – September

Total Distance: Approx. 3000kms

Detour: Shimla , Lahaul Spiti, Khardungla, Tso Moriri, Pangong tso, Dalhousie

2. Golden Triangle Circuit

About: India’s most famous tourist circuit:– The circuit draws maximum number of tourists than compared to any other circuit across the nation, with grandeur of Delhi, Jaipur & Agra in a single trip. No trip introduces you to Medieval History of India better than the Golden Triangle.

Route: Delhi – Neemrana – Jaipur – Fatehpur Sikri – Agra – Delhi

Total Distance: Approx. 900kms

Best Season: September – March

Detour: Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, Bhangarh, Mathura , Ranthambore National Park

3. Rajputana Circuit

About: Royalty, Pride and Colours of India in a single trip:- Drive through the land of kings as you visit Palace of Bikaner, and then drive to the Golden land of Jaisalmer, take camel safari and spend a night at the desert before heading to picturesque Fort of Jodhpur, Mehrangarh. Head south to the only hill station of Rajasthan i.e. Mount Abu. Spend a night or two before leaving for the City of lakes Udaipur and take a moment to visit the magnificent fort of Chittorgarh, before finally visiting the Pink city Jaipur. The complete trip of Rajasthan is a walk down of the history books, with astounding fortresses, camel safaris & elephant rides. Noise, spice, heat and colour, what more do you need to fall in love?

Rajputana cicuit — *pic credit: mapsofindia.com*

Route: Delhi – Bikaner – Pokhran – Jaisalmer – Jodhpur – Mt Abu – Udaipur – Chittorgarh – Jaipur – Delhi

Total Distance: Approx. 2500kms

Best Season: November – February

Detour: Pokhran, Pali, Kumbhalgarh, Ranthambore National Park, Ajmer, Bhangarh,

4. The White Desert Circuit

About: Kachchh, India’s wild west:– The flat, tortoise-shaped land (kachbo means tortoise in Gujarati), is a seasonal geographical phenomena. As the monsoon proceeds, this land is filled with sea water, then by fresh water and what is left is a salt marshy barren land after it dries up and it is known as the Great Rann Of Kutch. The barren ,blindingly clear white land of Rann is nature at its harshest and most compelling. The wild west of India is full of rugged, fiery beauty. What appears to be an endless desert plain to the horizon, is in fact a seasonal island.
The dramatic settlement here, feels like Pre-Partitioned Pakistan, and tribal villagers produce some of the finest folk textiles.

Route : Ahmedabad – Muli – Mandvi – Bhuj – Great Rann Of Kutch – Bhuj – Halvad – Bajana – Dasada – Ahmedabad

Total Distance : Approx. 1100 kms

Best Season : November – March

Detour : Rajkot, Porbander, Dwarka, Palitana

5. Mumbai Goa Circuit (‘ Dil Chahta Hai’ Circuit)

About: From Bombay to Goa to Dil Chahta hai:- Mumbai to Goa road trip is every bollywood buffs’ dream drive. Get over driving on Mumbai Pune Expressway (You can cover it on way back). Begin your journey early from Mumbai and head towards unconquered fort of Janjira, taste some strawberries at Mahabaleshwar, before taking scuba dive at Tarkarli and finally spend a laid back weekend in Goa. It’s amazing to see that, between the two most happening places in the country, how the western ghats had kept its surreal, natural beauty intact. Complete your circuit taking NH4 highway via Kolhapur, Pune and Lonavala.

Route: Mumbai – Alibaug – Murud Janjira – Mahabaleshwar – Ratnagiri -Panjim – Belgaum – Kolhapur – Pune – Lonavala – Mumbai

Total Distance : Approx 1400 kms

Best Season : September – March

Detour : Harihareshwar, Dapoli, Ganpatipule, Tarkarli, Dandeli, Hubli

6. Maharashtra Cultural Circuit

About : The Road to Evolution:- Left deserted for over a millennium, choked up by creepers and trees, Ajanta caves were not discovered until 1819. Two world heritage sites, within a span of 120 kms, Ajanta Ellora are history lovers’ dream. Riding from Mumbai; visit the mythological city of Nashik where Maha Kumbh is held, this is the place from where Sita was abducted. The roads are usually two way highways, but the attachment to history makes them unforgettable.Move forward to ancient caves of Ajanta and Ellora, deroute to Lonar crater lake created by meteor. If time permits head to the cultural capital of Maharashtra, Pune and back to Mumbai via expressway.

Route : Mumbai – Nashik – Shirdi – Aurangabad – Ellora Caves – Ajanta Caves – Lonar Crater – Aurangabad- Ahmednagar – Pune – Lonavala – Mumbai

Total Distance : Approx 1200 kms

Best Season : September – March

Detour : Trimbakeshwar, Bhimashankar, Karjat, Karla Bhaja Caves

7. North Karnataka Trip

About : An extension to Mumbai Goa circuit:- The road takes you through Karnataka’s western coastline. Start with a glimpse of Mountains of Chikmagalur and move on the coast lines of Udupi and Gokarna, wildlife reserve of Dandeli, temples of Hampi, Fort of Chitradurga and Urban Lifestyle of Bangalore. Once done, this trip leaves you satiated for months.

Route : Bengaluru – Hassan – Mangalore – Udupi – Gokarna – Goa – Hubli – Hampi – Chitradurga – Bangalore

Total Distance : Approx 1600kms

Best Season : September – April

Detour: shravanabelagola, Chikmaglur , Murudeshwar, Yana Rocks, Dandeli, Jog Falls

8. Mysore Coorg Circuit

About : Glittering Royal Heritage:- A walk across the English country lanes, covered by pines, to unspoiled jungles of Wayanad, this road trip leaves you wanting for more. While Mysore is South India’s most famous tourist destination and has ample amount of monuments to spot, Wayanad is often termed to be the most beautiful part of Kerala by their own. Ooty often termed as “Queen of Hill Stations” is a mix of Indian Hustle and Bustle with Raj era colonies to stay on.

Route: Mysuru – Madikeri – Coorg – Wayanad – Ooty – Bandipur National Park – Mysore

Total Distance: Approx 600kms

Best Season: October – April

Detour: Bengaluru, Bylakuppe, Bekal, Kannur, Bangalore

9. Kerala Circuit

About : “God’s Own Country”:- The narrow curvy lanes along the backwaters is where even your vehicle falls in love with Kerala. It has Spice plantations and Tea covered hills, elegant houseboats, ayurvedic treatment and friendly elephants and approx. 600 kms of coastline covered with palms, and fishing nets. It’s hard to deny the liberal use of the tagline “God’s Own Country”.

Route: Kochi – Alappuzha – Kollam – Thiruvananthapuram – Kanyakumari – Thiruvananthapuram – Periyar – Munnar – Kochi

Total Distance: Approx 1200kms

Best Season: October – March

Detour : Bekal , Varkala, Guruvayur, Thrissur, Athirapally

10. Tamil Nadu Temple Circuit

About: Land of Temples:- No state in India has kept intact its civilisation of Dance, Poetry and religion as beautifully as Tamil Nadu has. Tamil Nadu is as dynamic as its tradition. With White religious tika, portraying their devotion to IT goers in Chennai , the ever ringing bells of Tirupati & Madurai to the peaceful ashram of Auroville and beach of Rameshwaram, this circuit takes you through a state which proudly distinct itself from rest of India.

Route: Chennai – Tirupati – Vellore – Madurai – Rameshwaram – Tiruchirapalli – Pudducherry – Chennai

Total Distance: Approx 1600 kms

Best Season: November – February

Detour: Kanchipuram, Mahabalipuram, Sriharikota, Coimbatore, Kodaikanal, Yeracud

11. Best of Eastern Coast

About: The Eastern Coastal Belt:- While country’s western coast is travellers’ favourite, a lot along the eastern coast had been left unexplored. Possible reasons could be many, but what could you benefit from, is a drive/ride along the unexplored territories of bay of Bengal. Riding through cities of Hyderabad, Vishakhapatnam, Puri, Digha & Kolkata, one covers at least 4 different states with peculiar changes in architecture, culture and lifestyle. On way back, you can chose to visit Raipur, one of the fastest developing cities in the country or just fall back along the eastern coast.

Route: Hyderabad – Vijayawada – Vishakhapatnam – Araku Valley – Puri – Cuttak – Digha – Kolkata – Raipur – Hyderabad

Total distance: Approx. 2500kms

Best Season: November – February

Detour: Digha, Jamshedpur, Bastar

12. India’s best Tiger Circuit

About: The land of Mowgli :- Bandhavgarh, Kanha, Pench, Tadoba This is the closest you could get to living with the tigers. Welcome to Madhya Pradesh, the king of jungles when it comes to tiger parks. These forests are so dense, yet so attractive that Rudyard Kipling decided to portray Mowgli into them. While Kanha is the most dense among all, the probability of spotting tiger is the highest in Bandhavgarh and Pench. With upcoming luxury stays and camps surrounding the jungles, the trip becomes more fascinating.

Route: Nagpur – Tadoba National park – Kanha National Park – Pench National Park – Nagpur

Total Distance: Approx. 1000kms

Best Season: September – April

Detour : Chikaldara, Jabalpur, Satpura National Park, Khajuraho, Bandhavgarh

13. Romancing with the Mountains

About: Kanchenjunga in the backyard :- From tea plantation to Toy train, from Tibet border to Old Silk route. Exploring Sikkim gives you ample of moments to fall in love with the Himalayas. The roads are treacherous so, even a small distance takes a long time, but as said when the journey is beautiful, destination doesn’t matter. Visit Gurudongmer lake to see India’s highest lake. Pelling offers you a closer look at Kanchenjunga, and Zuluk takes you to the path through which silk travelled between Indian and China via the Old Silk Route. Plan well ahead because few places require permissions to be obtained, before visiting.

Route: New Jalpaiguri – Darjeeling – Pelling – Gangtok – Gurudongmar Lake – Zuluk – Kalimpong – New Jalpaiguri

Total Distance: Approx. 900kms

Best Season: September – April

Detour: Sandakphu, Yuksom, Yumthang, Nepal

14. Best of North East Adventure

About: Road trip for brave hearts:- When experienced Dibrugarh to Pasighat Brahmaputra crossing is one of the most memorable experience compared to any road trip across the country. The north east compared to Leh circuit remains highly deprived of tourists and has lot many uncharted locations to be discovered. Start from Guwahati and head to tribal village of Ziro, it takes around 2 days but the driving could be a real test of endurance, accompanying some memorable mountain memories. If the time permits, visit Mechuka for its exotic tribes, 400 years old Buddhist monastery and snow capped mountains by the border. Come south to Dibrugarh and then Pasighat, follow west towards Kaziranga National Park which hosts two third of world’s one horned rhinos. Spare least 2 days for the park. The road from Kaziranga to Guwahati are well maintained and could be covered quickly.

Route: Guwahati – Tezpur- Ziro – Daporijo – Kabu – Pasighat – Dibrugarh – Kaziranga National Park – Guwahati

Total Distance: Approx. 2000kms

Best Season: September – October, March – May

Detour: Shillong, Cherrapunjee, Tawang, Itanagar, Mokochung

15. The Buddha Circuit

About: Footprints of ‘Siddhartha to Buddha’:– Journey on this vibrant road trip across north and India’s two most populous states of Uttar Pradesh & Bihar. Start your trip from Bihar’s capital Patna and head towards Varanasi, the mythological city of India, spare some moment for Ganga Arti in the evening and look out for Babas and hippies involved in the enchantment of Lord Shiva. Head westward towards Allahabad where Ganga Yamuna and mystical Saraswati meets at Prayag. Road further west takes you to the Capital of UP and political hub of the nation, “Lucknow”. Have a gastronomical affair in the city of Nawabs before you say sayonara. Visit the birth place of Lord Ram at Ayodhya, heading to Kushinagar. If time spares, one can enter Nepal, covering places like Lumbini & Janakpur. By the time one is back to his/her base, irrespective to your belief, the realisation towards power of religion changes.

Route: Patna – Bodhgaya – Sarnath – Allahabad – Lucknow – Ayodhya – Kushinagar – Patna

Total Distance: Approx. 1400kms

Best Season: September – March

Detour: Varanasi, Chitrakoot, Lumbini, Kathmandu, Janakpur

16. Uttarakhand Circuit

About: Land of Gods:- land of Snow capped mountains to Low land jungle, temples & ashram, bustling cities to quiet hill station. Uttarakhand has much more to offer. Hindus term Uttarakhand as ‘Dev Bhoomi’ the dramatic terrain covered with holy mountains, rivers and lakes. With twisting roads and unlimited trekking trails, Uttrakhand captures many mountaineers’ dream destination.

Route: Delhi – Almora – Nainital – Jim Corbett National Park – Haridwar – Rishikesh – Mussoorie – Dehradun – New Delhi

Total Distance: Approx. 1500kms

Best Season: Spetember – March

Detour: Roopkund, Ranikhet, Lansdowne, Gangotri, Badrinath, Chandigarh

So why wait, grab your riding gears & saddle bag or car keys & backpack, and plan your coming weekend.

We would love to know other circuits and destinations, comment or mail us to update the list.

July 17, 2016July 17, 2016

The way I will remember you

I will always remember you as an angel,
who walked into my life when all other faces seemed like strangers.
Those large shimmering eyes captivated my soul almost instantaneously.
Don’t get me started coz i can go on praising those eyes for three days continuously.

Nothing can be cuter than your sweet, mischievous smile.
I have always been awe-struck seeing your elegant dressing style.
With that stupefying and bewildering figure,
it was hard for me to maintain my composure.

Your voice and accent complimented each other,
and confidence so high that could make anyone stutter.
You were ambitious and fun loving at the same time.
I remember how soon we became partners in crime

whenever i saw you, you were extending someone your help.
With the most complicated situations, it was you who always tactfully dealt.
You were good to even those who were nasty to you,
You found happiness in smallest of things when most magnificent of things were at service for you.

I still don’t get it how you fell in love with me.
And then you did things for me which no one would have done to set me free.
You played numerous roles in my life,
a friend, my love, a preacher, a teacher and a beautiful wife.

Life couldn’t have been more beautiful without you,
You made my dreams, my imaginations astoundingly come true.
I used to be at seventh heaven when I had you by my side.
You got me from low waist jeans and baggy t-shirts to three piece suits and smart looking ties.
Precisely, you made a man out of a spoilt brat,
You saved me from getting lost in marijuana’s painfully tempting trap.

I never said a word to let you know,
It was you who still understood if I was hurt, sad or hungry for those mouth-watering momos.
It was me who always came first to your head,
Before even thinking bout yourself instead.
You loved me the way no one ever did before.
The sentiments are enormous which I am scared to even bring to the fore.

You were amazing in bed, even better at academics,
Jaw dropping looks disconcerted the paramedics.
You were innocent and naive,
Concomitantly aggressive and brave as warriors and knights.
Your will and might,
made easy the most fierce looking fights.

Your dreams so big, your ego so small,
Thats what made you stand out, thats what made you stand tall.
Your elegance and decency were witnessed at their best,
wherever and whenever my sweet lil child was put to test.
A girl so loving, which she let herself be,
was meant to be out there, so i let her go free.
Like you said the other day: “all the good things come to an end,
but believe me my angel, in my heart, you will always be my silent friend….

—-Anant Gyan Singh

July 16, 2016July 17, 2016

No Grey: All Black and White

I have always found it difficult to make people understand the kind of person I am. Some think I am rude, others think I am geek. Some take me as an intellectual, others as dumbass. There’s a huge list of names I have got in this short span of life. Some love me for the kind of mess I am and some hate me for the kind of sorted mind I am.

But nobody knows that I have seen extremities of emotions in my life. Extremity to love someone insanely, extremity to hate someone madly! Extremity to understand and also the extremity to ignore everything and let people around me get hurt.

But what I realised all this time while religiously failing to embed shades of grey in my black and white life of love or hatred; that people never understand you, no matter how much you try. They will love you, hate you, accept you, reject you…… all according to their own fancies. But does that really means you have to hate them?

I think No! You can’t really hate people just because they disliked you; you can’t really hate them because they disapproved what brought you happiness. Life is unfair, so are people. The only thing you can do to help yourself is accept the fact that, it’s OK to let it go and not ask for justice all the time. As the definition of justice varies from individual to individual. It cannot be put into a catalogue of definitions, as it will turn out to be vague at the end of the day.

My tryst with the greys have been really unpleasant. I have tried and failed, and then tried again and failed, and then again tried to fail. Registering so many failures really makes me question the stranger in the mirror, as to what it actually seeks and the only reply I get is, there can be no grey for me, only black and white!

– Udisha M.

July 12, 2016

Keep Calm and Love Chai Over Coffee

It is not ‘tea’, it is ‘Chai’! Do you get it? Chai! Chaha! Chah! Cha! Call it by any name, in any language, have it in mug or glass; it is awesomeness, pure awesomeness!

I always have this debate with my intellectual and sophisticated friends who love coffee over tea! I mean, like what? Coffee over tea? Shut-up tea is better than coffee! Yes, it is! Your long trips or your night before exams are incomplete without some hot cups of tea and those delicious combos of biscuits or papad or pakode with chai!

Aah! Bliss!

I can’t imagine a day without tea, that sheer feeling of seeing the chai boil in its rusty, bubbly glory is joy! An overwhelming ecstatic happiness. That wait for letting the chai get ready on low flame and watching it anxiously as it sheds colors is heavenly. These are the joys which a coffee lover will never experience in life. Coffee is so stupid. It costs you bomb amount and hardly offers any taste. Moreover, you cannot fix coffee with your favorite desi breakfasts like pakode, bun-maska, vada-pav, Parle G, etc. You need tea for that.

A rainy day will not make you ask for coffee, it will make you ask for tea. Because tea meets the feel and sound of roaring thunderstorms and the smell of soil after rain. Tea gives you the liberty of enjoying it with cardamom and cloves or black pepper or basil or all of them. Coffee surely doesn’t stand a chance. Coffee cannot be fixed with sutta, it cannot make you brag or listen to your friend’s woes after a long day. Only tea can do that! Tea rocks everywhere, be it home or office or trips or college adda.

The morale of the story: Keep Calm and Love Tea Over Coffee!
– Udisha M.

Image Courtesy: www.littlenews.com

July 11, 2016July 12, 2016

Why Is The King Always Lonely?

There’s always a desire to be a king in all of us. We want to be number 1, we want to be the rulers and not the ones to get ruled. We run the rat race only to reach the finishing point and then learn that nothing like that really exists. There’s no end to this blind race of desires and unfulfilled wishes. Our expectations only keep soaring and by the time we learn that there’s no winner in this ‘rat race’, it’s already late.

I don’t know if I am the right person to write this, but I really pity the ones who ascend the thrones and entitle themselves with coveted position of the ‘king’. I really think of their pain as to whom do they really get to talk to when the entire world is under their feet? They don’t have anyone standing shoulder-to-shoulder with them and holding them when they need support. Whom do they really call when they are sick or weak? Or may be, they don’t even have the liberty to be sick or weak. What kind of wretched life is this?

Why do we want to be the king when there’s no companionship, no luxury of friendship there? Why are we such sadist that we want to subject ourselves to so much pain? Why?

And as usual the question remains unanswered.
– Udisha M.

Image courtesy: www.pbase.com

July 10, 2016July 11, 2016

Big Bag Theory: Thank you Delhi

I sat on the platform waiting for the metro. A wait of 12 minutes for the Airport Express to arrive. The time seemed to be moving so slow. My parents were coming to see me and it was more that 40 days since I had met my mom. I was restless, the plane carrying my parents would touch down at the Delhi Airport any given moment and here I was, fashionably late! What the hell?

I looked around observing the crowd. A newly wedded couple was all set to fly for their honeymoon. The girl’s excitement was beyond measures as she talked to her husband in baby voice and complained that her mother-in-law has made her wear salwar-suit. The innocent husband pacified her saying she can change into comfy shorts as soon as they reached the airport. An old man was playing with his 5-6 year old granddaughter. An anxious fellow was looking at the watch again and again to make sure he doesn’t gets late for the important meeting. My heart was too excited to stay at a place for a long while. I walked the perimeter of the platform as if my walking would have made any difference in approaching train’s speed.

After a wait that seemed like an year, the train arrived. I took my seat and wished it could simply fly to the airport, well it didn’t! 5 minutes into my journey, I got a call from my dad telling me that they have arrived. I shamelessly confessed that I am still on my way. Instead of getting angry my dad said, ‘take your time, we are waiting.’

I got down at the Delhi Aerocity Metro Station and took the feeder for Airport terminal. I was saving those 150 bucks of cab thinking that will help me buy something for parents. The saving costed me another precious 20 minutes, but I reached. Hoping, jumping, running and most importantly smiling I was there at the arrivals to receive them. They came out smiling even when they had been waiting for some 40 minutes without a bite of food or sip of water. I booked a cab and we got into it, my mom handed over a packet of 2 biscuits to me. I was surprised and asked her what it was?

She said, ‘The air-hostess gave this to me, I saved it for you.’

I didn’t had any words for that. Had it been any of my friends or anyone else in this world, they would have never done that. Nobody waits for you for 40 minutes without complaining. They stood there, hungry and thirsty, still wanted to push the first drop of water down my throat.

That’s how parents are. That’s how mothers are. And may be an alien city can only teach you their importance!

Thank you Delhi! 🙂
– Udisha M.

June 28, 2016July 11, 2016

जाने क्यों मैं देता हूं शब्द अपनी भावनाओं को

मैं रोक देता हूं उस धार को

जो बहती है बेधड़क.. उन्मुक्त..शब्द नहीं मिलते हर सोच को

फिर शब्द में डालने के लिए मैं सोच बदल देता हूं।मैं मूर्त करना चाहता हूं अपने हर एहसास को

जो सांसों की तरह चलती रहती है

अनवरत.. बिना मेहनत के..बांधने के क्रम मैं रुक जाती है वह धार

जो शायद विषाद की सीमा लांघ

खुशी की तरफ बढ़ जाती

और अपने ख्यालों में डूबा दुखी मैं

शायद खुश भी हो जाता!

लेकिन अब शब्दों के जाल में घिरे मेरे एहसास
दुख का प्रयाय बन के रह गए हैं..

जाने क्यों मैं देता हूं शब्द अपनी भावनाओं को!

June 24, 2016July 11, 2016

DEVIL IN ME

My mind insane, all I want is fame,

I am ready to gamble and garble.

Damn those ethics, they can rush to drain.

I conjure to be the next “Kaiser”

From the guy next door to the lone survivor.

Ya I know, I know, it’s a hard nut to crack.

Trust me I’ll have every chance to brag!!

They say “Avarice”is the root of all evils”

I yell “it’s the only root to the top of the hill”

Destination’s what matter,

No matter if it’s your friend or foe you have to kill.

I am a backstabber when it comes to victory,

& voluble enough to create mystery.

I know self-praise is no recommendation,

but it acts as a tool for self-exploration.

Nothing is wrong till the time you don’t regret it,

Life is nothing, just an exhibition of wit.

You can get things done with a strike of fist.

The only better option is wricking the wrist.

I wonder, why be a saint and do what you never want,

Better be a devil, and do things that count.

But you gotto remember, as you do evil, look for like,

Coz you’re not the only one out there to strike.

Never ever blame yourself,

for a simple reason that situations make perceptions.

Never ever curse your destiny,

coz you learn even from deceptions.

It’s not necessary that you win everytime,

But trust me you’ll master the art if you keep on trying.

Atleast, you’ll have something to boast about.

It’s anyways better being a loser, sitting and crying.

My acts are only the repurcussions,

Of the past that I had to bear.

Still I am grateful to the mighty lord,

To execute this plan and flush out all my fears.

A bad man is better than a bad name.

& it becomes easier to strive for fame.

I have that plastic smile on my face,

that’s gonna extricate me from the complications of the game.

The guy with the most selfless intentions,

Proves to be the one,

entangled in the cobweb of frustration,

On stretching the hands in the darker times,

finds nothing but a thousand apprehensions.

It’s not my fault that I find eternal pleasure

in crushing my competitor’s dream into the finest of pieces,

but that’s what happens,

when the DEVIL in me unleashes.

–Anant Gyan Singh

June 23, 2016June 24, 2016

A Friend or More

I was still conscious of the fact that he won’t be there for long. I didn’t want to show my concern but we both knew emotionally and mentally I was dependent on him. It was he who showed me the world and how to handle it. I was an empty soul when I reached here, like a mud waiting to be moulded into better human and it was he who helped me to be like this. Despite of my irrational nature he never said anything. He had the same power of reading my mood from my face very similar to you. I don’t know how but he just did. I couldn’t escape from him. I had to tell everything. He could read slightest of the strain over my face. He was more than a friend my family, my guardian, my doctor, my teacher mentor as if I couldn’t imagine this place without him. Whenever college comes to my mind it was his figure that stays in front of my eyes. There are no words that can describe his importance for me and he knows it.

I reached back on January the 5th; I could see people talking about last few days at college and brooding over it but it wasn’t materialistic to me. I had other aspects to think about not like the people around me. Three days gone without any great conversation between us. When I woke he was gone and when he came back I was asleep. Then the day came when at last we faced each other. Starting was quiet; eventually things were getting carried over. Anything we said sentiments were clear. The pain could be seen in each other eyes. The only thing left was to shed tears but boys. We are weakest at it. I went to sleep soon knowing that I was about to flow across the brim We didn’t talk on this topic for the rest of time. I tried to divert myself in other things. Basketball was my saviour again, knowing that CAT was round the corner I chose Basket Ball over it. My life and my thoughts, thoughts those are random and reckless. I acted like an complete idiot but still those are mine not someone else’s. The least I could do was to remain loyal to my feelings. Reason was simple I wanted my mind to stay calm until he left. I couldn’t let him show that I felt weak without him. Then I felt unstable knowing he’ll be off soon, a whole big punch was pushed through my stomach. A big vacuum created I front of my eyes parting everything which I felt was once my.

I feared the dooms day which wasn’t so far. Days were passing by so soon I couldn’t even count. This is the worst experience of relativity. A second becomes infinite when you are paralysed by ugly streak of emotions and even a day seems to be a second when you need it the most”. I remember the night two days before Siddhartha left, we were on our bed either side, lights off, waiting for the night to engulf us and discussing what we did that day. I said “this is our last night in college when we are talking to each other in this fashion”. A scrutinizing shiver passed through my spine and right now it wasnt different from the previous one. This is the power of love or whatever you call it; it can make you feel nostalgic for a person who is thousands of kilometres away. After that none of us said anything just waiting to sleep and thinking about the last day together in the college. He was busy that day, so was I. We didn’t want to face each other because we knew what would be the consequences. Then finally the time of farewell, the farewell I gave to Siddhartha.

I drank as much I could I wanted to cry that night and only thing I needed was shoulder to cry upon. I didn’t want to wake you up so texted you, you called. In English one would call it farewell but there are no words in any language that can describe the pain of separation. I shouted as a mad man, shouted in room full of sorrow and joy. I just shouted because I couldn’t do anything else. When you called I cried until we stopped talking, until I slept, until I wasn’t thinking, until I lost my senses. When I cried over the phone I had totally surrendered myself to you, as a small pampered kid crying in his mother’s arms wanted to be consoled over a reason which he also knew is impossible to stop. I made you cry also, I said whatever was buried in my heart for you. I couldn’t see you in more pain and me in regret of not telling you at that time. I only remembered few things of that night as I could barely walk and there were only two things in my mind Siddhartha would be leaving tomorrow and myself being alone…

–WarCh!ld

June 22, 2016June 25, 2016

भारत भूमी प्यारी

गगन चूमता है.

नीचे चरणों तले पड़ा,
नित सिन्धु झूमता है.

झरने अनेक झरते,
जिसकी पहाडियों में,
चिड़िया चहकती रहती,
जहाँ मस्त झाड़ियो से.

भाषा अनेक, जाती अनेक,
रहे जहाँ मिल-जुल कर एक,
बसे जहाँ एकता हमारी,
वो है भारत भूमी प्यारी.

— Vishal

June 22, 2016June 25, 2016

अच्छा लगता है..

ये शाम न जाए, कभी रात ना हो
उदासी-अंद्धेरे की बरसात ना हो
हाँ ले चल मुझे कहीं साथ अपने,
जहाँ बंदिशों की कोई बात ना हो

वो रोना, वो गाना, सताना, मानना,
करें जब जो चाहें,जो दिल ने ठाना,
बहें धार में हम अपने ही दिल के,
मिले हमको वो जो अच्छा लगता है..

ना दुनिया है ज़ालिम ना लोग दीवाने
ना लब किसी के पुराने फ़साने
क्या आगे निकलने की होड़ बुरी है?
क्या रह जाएँ यहीं पे, नया कुछ ना जानें?

वो बाते पुरानी निकलती नहीं है
मगर उन बातों की गलती नहीं है
इन बातो को सीने से लगा के, कहीं डूब जाना ही सच्चा लगता है

कहाँ थी ख्यालों की चादर ये फैली
न सिलवट थे इसमें, न दिखती थी मैली
हकीकत से ही तो था याराना अपना
न दूजे की खद्दर न दूजे की थैली

अब चलते-चलते निकल आये आगे,
जाने कब थे सोये और हम कब थे जागे,
क्या खोया क्या पाया की पर्ची भुलाके बस सो जाना ही अच्छा लगता है

सभी ने कहा कि कयामत भी होगी
कभी किसी रोज़ बग़ावत भी होगी,
निकल आयेंगे परिंदे घरो से,
सबपे खुदा कि इनायत ही होगी,

कि चाहे भी हम ये और सोचे भी हम ये,
न हो फिर भी ये हम कह दे सभी से,
बड़ी बाते छोड़ क्यों ना चुन ले लम्हा इन सब के आगे जो बच्चा लगता है.

— Vishal

June 21, 2016June 25, 2016

Daru ki Botal

Mujhe becha gaya,

Mujhe khareeda gaya.

Mera dard khud mujhse na dekha gaya.

Par doston-yaaron,

Tammam rishtedaaron

se jo ishq kar baithi thi main,

apno ko mayusiyon mein doobte mujhse

na dekha gaya.

Taqleef dikhti thi mujhse sabki nazaron mein,

Koi ek muskurata hoga kaii hazaron mein.

Uss muskurahat ko har lab pe sajane ka

irada liye ,

har dard chupa liya kahin kinaron mein.

Har nukkad, har gali, har mandir aur

Mazjid ke kareeb,

thaam liye the guhaar lagate haath, fir wo chahe

ameer ho ya gareeb.

Meri mulakaton mein maine rote ko haste

aur haste ko rote dekha hai.

Bicchde yaaron ko milte, nayi mohabbaton ko khilte dekha hai.

Wo kaun sa mausam tha jo main na thi kareeb?

Mere iraade nek the, koi samjha nai ye mera naseeb.

Aaj main kisi ki latt hun to kisi ka aiyb.

Aaj main wajah hun chahe wo galti ho, jhoot ya fareb.

Bhool gaye wo din jab hataashon ki hitaiyshi bani thi main?

Tumhari dard bhari karahon ki marham bani thi main.

Aaj mujhe bhool kar nayi shuruat karna chahte ho tum.

Jab tumhari nayi zindagi ki kabhi shuruaat bani thi main.

Bas ek hi dua hai tumse,

Mujhe aiyb na bolo, mujhe latt na banana.

Galti, jhooth ya fareb ki wajah mat batana.

Bohot zillat dekhi hai maine,

Bohot khari-khoti suni hai maine,

Ho skae to meri neeyat ko yaad rakhna,

Kabhi mujhe apni maut ki wajah mat banana.

—– Anant Gyan Singh

June 21, 2016June 25, 2016

Dreams

Morning 7:00 am

Watching myself in the mirror,

Telling myself go get it this time

coz you’re not a quitter…

Same day later

Psyched up, pumped up, sitting in my hot tub,

Planning it up all in my mind,

answers to the questions thrown this way.

Job interview’s the only hurdle left in my way.

4^th chance after 3 mind blowing attempts.

I wished make it my last,

Coz I am still struggling hard to pay my peppercorn rent.

“Penurious” was the word that described me the best.

“Loser”, that’s what was tattooed on my chest.

But I always had a better picture in my my head.

Me taking up a job??? No no no…shit,

Instead for me it’s better be dead.

On the contrary, the people ‘round me,

Forced me to make it conventional.

To hell with my youth,

They worried about my 60’s when I become a pensioner.

Damn…it all needed a deeper thought,

coz it was difficult to see my big dreams rot,

But nothing was working for me anyway,

I realized all this shit was worth a shot.

So, this was it,

I chose my favorite couture.

Took the final shot for an uncertain future.

At the venue…mannn it was huge.

With an annoying hullabaloo.

Was 23rdtime “8 mile” ringing in my ears.

Girls hurling out of cabin almost in tears.

My fucking heart thump was nearly audible all around.

The board was waiting just for me to pound.

And then,

It was my turn,

My hands felt a grievous sensation of burn.

My hand and butt was soaked in sweat.

coz I was trying for something that was hard to get.

20 minutes passed and I was finally out.

Out of that dreadful cabin.

The experience was horrendous.

Again I started to calculate all my savings.

The result was to be out in a moment.

Negative emotions were for sure dominant.

Was thinking about the unpaid bills, interest on loans and

The burning stick that kills.

Till I heard my name.

”you just don’t need to humiliate people who didn’t get through”

That’s what first came to my mind.

Eyes looking everywhere to find.

People clapping all around,

and me standing between them astound.

I made it.

Don’t ask me how.

May be they sympathized with my destitute looking face.

Doesn’t matter.

What actually matters is that I eventually won the race.

Now bills all paid, loans all cleared.

Waiting for my 60’s to become a pensioner.

Watching what I was afraid of.

Exactly as I thought.

I saw all my big dreams rot.

—– Anant Gyan Singh

June 20, 2016June 25, 2016

Rolling Dice

Young guns not gonna take this passivity anymore,

We gotta make some points here at this crucial juncture.

Agree or not.

I don’t give a fuck.

Coz it’s the hypocrisy that proves you a schmuck.

Like a rolling dice,

we gotta whole different sides,

Just throw us a few logics,

and we will have our new reasons to fight.

Coz there’s no universal path of righteousness.

With all those rights and wrongs,

comes respective reasons along,

and a sense of selflessness.

Like I call myself an atheist,

Inclined to lead a life of a priest,

Reason being..he never showed up

to let me know,

“Is he really there or is he been cooked up?”

I called him a thug, a jerk and a murderer.

In the first place

Why should I call him anything at all.

Now,

We talk about violence, chaos and treachery,

when we’re high smoking a joint,

but that’s not even a point.

There are times when,

we change channels as we find something gruesome,

when the nature’s wrath gives us a little goosebumps.

Why sometimes watching a destitute get our eyes wet?

Why sometimes watching a movie get our palms soaked in sweat?

Why do we even bother to help someone,

when all we care about in our ganja gun.

We love banging bitches, and you’ll agree for sure.

Some do it for pleasure,

some just to keep a score.

I called them “bitches”, with no hesitation,

I am gentleman when it comes to women,

and I am the one who turns them into bitches,

inspite of them being such an exquisite creation.

One thing they surely deserve is respect,

but then I expect all of them to be perfect.

So, my point is, we’re not a coin having just two sides.

Instead we have six of them,

just like a rolling dice.

Don’t know which side gonna face up,

But that’s not a problem coz

We’re gonna prove it right.

—-Anant Gyan Singh

June 20, 2016June 23, 2016

Ganja Justifi3d

Standing by the shore,

Thinking here to fore.

My girl dipped in vanillin,

Oh she was a fuckin whore.

My girl, my friend and my own bed,

Colt’s creation in my hands, both of them shot dead.

On stake was my pride,

And that’s why honey my ganja’s justifi3d.

I always knew what I was good at,

For them I was just a spoilt brat.

My dad misunderstood my goals,

mixed up the roles.

Now I burn my ass as an accountant.

For him it’s merely a substitute.

I feel my girl is a gigolo and I am a prostitute.

All my life I cried and lied,

And that’s why honey my ganja’s justifi3d.

I was terribly weak,

more precisely a freak.

I was scared,

But none of the motherfuckers really cared.

And now I’m all on my own,

Beard and bushes all grown,

Still afraid of the fight called life,

And that’s why honey my ganja’s justifi3d.

Things I could see with my eyes closed,

things that we all dread the most.

Feel someone staring real close,

when you know, there is no one home.

But now I play the host.

Don’t give a shit if it’s devil or ghost.

I smelled the shit and I’m glad I tried,

And that’s why honey my ganja’s justifi3d.

—-Anant Gyan Singh

June 20, 2016June 25, 2016

Upside Down

Is it some kind of searing pain?

Coz I feel numb..

Numb at heart, mind & soul.

My thoughts have turned so elusive & cold.

I guess life requires further elucidation.

After all, it’s God’s one of the most exquisite creation.

But, he won’t explain

Coz nothing is logically framed.

I try to see things upside down,

But the world still seems the same.

I see people die,

I see people live like they’re dead.

Ask them where is their God.

I bet they won’t even need a second thought.

Men eating men,

That’s what petrifies me.

Is that the gospel truth?

Coz that’s what brutally justifies me.

I am scared of what I do,

And I know you’re one in the queue.

Things have changed.

Cries of pain sound lyrical.

Chirp and laughter seem strange.

Caring expressions feel rhetorical.

Meaning of love is completely re-arranged.

Where was God at the sudden demise of my inner self?

It was sickening.

Blame goes to the devil.

Why weren’t you listening?

The truth is

We are all scared.

Or else “who’s God?”

Nobody would have cared.

The fate for us is cut and dried.

It’s not going to change,

No matter how much we try.

I’ll try to see things upside down again,

But I am quite sure the world will still seem the same.

—Anant Gyan Singh

June 19, 2016June 25, 2016

Everything you should know before you visit JIM CORBETT NATIONAL PARK

Encountering one of the most ferocious hunter in its natural habitat, would be any adventurers dream vacation. Visit India’s oldest – JIM CORBETT NATIONAL PARK to fulfil your appetite for ever itching memory of some splendid landscape and diverse wildlife. And never fading experience with the Royal Bengal Tiger

About : Jim Corbett is the oldest national park in India, established in 1936 as Hailey National Park to protect the endangered Bengal tiger. It is located in Nainital district of Uttarakhand. Taking its name from legendary tiger hunter Jim Corbett (1875 -1955). The terai land is home to 200 tigers, about 300 elephants, bears, leopards, several species of dear and other animals. The varied landscape is a view in itself

Best Season : November to June

Park remains closed from 15 June to 15 Nov. Some areas of the park near the southern edge of the park are accessible all year around via the Jhirna gate. However, there is relatively little wildlife there.

How To : Ramnagar is the gateway to the Jim Corbett National Park. The town of Ramnagar is the headquarters of Corbett Tiger Reserve.There are overnight trains available from Delhi to Ramnagar. Also, there are trains from Varanasi via Lucknow and Allahabad via Kanpur to Ramnagar. Reaching Ramnagar, one can hire a taxi to reach the park and Dhikala.

Corbett National Park is 86 km north of Ramnagar. Visitors can move about in vehicles inside the park area after making entries at the respective gates (Permits available at Respective Gate) Permits for night halts are issued at the CTR Reception Office at Ramnagar.

Other places worth visiting in the region are the Crocodile Pool, Dhikala Machaan, Getheryo Library (Dhikala), Corbett Museum(Dhangadi gate), Corbett falls.

In The Park : Jim Corbett Park and Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary together comprise the core area of 1318 Square km Jim Corbett Reserve.

There are 4 entry gates available

Amdanda Gate (Birjani Zone)
Jhirna Gate (Jhirna Zone)
Durga Devi Gate (Lohachaur Zone)
Dhangari Gate (Dhikala Zone)

Safari Timing : The safaris can be booked in advance and are easily available via every resort at Ramnagar, but keeping in mind the delicate balance between wildlife, nature and humans, there is a limitation on the amount of jeeps allowed inside the park at one time. The elephant safari is an exhilarating experience; where you can travel through the unfamiliar terrain never visited before and explore the grasslands teeming with wildlife sitting on the backdrop of the enormous animal.

Morning: 5:30 am – 10:00 am

Evening: 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Accommodation : Forest Rest House – Plan & Book months in advance for best experience at Jim Corbett. All the places to stay outside the park are privately managed. All the places to stay inside the park are govt managed and are forest rest houses.

The government managed Forest Rest Houses are the only accommodation to stay in the park (No private resort has the accessibility for the same)

Dhikala
Bijrani
Khinnanauli – usually reserved for VIPs
Gairal
Sarpduli
Kanda
Sultan

Corbett Dhikala Forest Rest House (FRH) is the most popular and best place to stay in Corbett. It is perpetually booked months in advance.

Dhikala Forest Rest House (FRH) is the most popular and the largest forest rest house and is located in the core area of the Corbett National park. It is the best place to stay in the park. It is 52 km from Ramnagar and the entrance is via Dhangarhi gate. Visitors are only allowed entry via this gate if you have booked accommodation in core area of the park. Only those who have permit to stay overnight in the park are allowed to take the safari. Dhikala FRH and its annexe has rooms, dormitory accommodation, 2 canteens, mini-library and electricity.

If not staying one can travel into this area by a Canter which takes in 18 passengers and starts off from Ramnagar. This tour is called as Ramganga conducted tour and is permitted by the Corbett Tiger Reserve .

Quick facts : Jhirna, in the southernmost part of reserve is the only zone that remains open around the year.

Sitabani tourist zone is not under corbett tiger reserve. In Sitabani, there is no limitation of vehicle. It’s a famous zone for bird watching. This is the only forest in corbett where we can walk inside the forest. Sitabani known for a temple and river.

Kaladhungi 26km southeast of Ramnagar, is where Jim Corbett stayed during his period. His stay has been now converted into a museum.

Nimbubhiji, en route to Dhikala, is by far the best place to sight a tiger at Corbett.

http://www.corbettnationalpark.in/ is official Jim Corbett Park website.

Park’s reception centre – 05947 251489

June 17, 2016June 25, 2016

The Unexpected Guest

My unparallel love for dogs had been a sentence of nuisance for my family. This was the reason I wasn’t allowed to keep a dog. I tried to persuade my parents to have one but to my utter dismay I failed. I argued for the reasons but my parents always avoided and changed the topic. Finally, I went straight to my granma for the answers. She told me some unrealistic facts about dogs and their uncanny abilities which humans didn’t possess. But she also didn’t give straight forward answers. I left, thinking no one is interested in what I want. This was my childhood.

The childhood desire grew with me and the moment I had the opportunity I had a dog that too a Red Hound. The dog’s previous owner had a grey record and was found dead in his apartment by the local authorities. Never the less who cares, I just wanted the dog. It came with me without any dogmatic melodrama which is uncommon for a pre owned pet. It started living with me. Initially it didn’t respond, didn’t eat etc I tried various combinations of food but no success. One night I saw my dog jumping and wagging its tail. The same gesture a dog gives when it sees its owner, thinking may be dog went insane or may be I m dreaming I slept again. Next morning I saw scratches on my outer door as if the dog frantically wanted to leave. I went to see my dog again but it didn’t respond. I was shocked this stupid creature was dancing at night and what happened to it just by overnight.

Then I started noticing weird acts by my dog during night which surely concluded that there is someone else present other than me. That night I went on to search about the previous owner and was shocked to know that the man had been on trial for hunting humans with his dogs. Suddenly I heard scratching on my door, it creaked open and I again saw my dog dancing and giving gestures to its owner. My heart beat skipped and then something fell on the floor. The dog turned towards me with blood red eyes waiting for an answer and the answer came in a shrieking and dreadful voice…

—War Child

June 16, 2016June 25, 2016

Bhangarh

BHANGARH: What if the stories aren’t just stories?

On a Saturday night in New Delhi, after getting back from office, I and my then roommate thought of watching a movie to give us the feel of weekend. Not having many options on our laptops and having a taste for horror movies we played a movie called “Trip to Bhangarh”. I must say the movie was nowhere close to be good but was definitely enough to increase our curiosity in the infamous city of Bhangarh and the folklore associated with it, especially when we had heard so much about it. Being a fan of trips planned in the spur of the moment I was on my feet putting a couple of clothes in a small bag in the middle of the night. My roommate obviously was lazy but couldn’t see me go alone on a trip which had all the possibilities to turn out to be super exciting. So we left for the closest bus station which could get us to Bhangarh.

For those who are not familiar with Bhangarh, it’s a small town in the Alwar district of Rajasthan. Bhangarh Fort is located on the border of the Sariska Reserve in Aravali range, famous for being one of the most haunted places in the world.

So, we took a bus headed to Jaipur from Kashmere Gate bus station. We were told by the conductor that we had to get off at a small town called “Bahrod” from where we could find a bus to Alwar. It was a freakishly chilly night. We took our seats and the excitement of finally getting to Bhangarh took all the sleep away from my eyes. At around 4 in the morning the bus dropped us at Bahrod and it took another half an hour to find a bus to Alwar. The bus was jam packed with passengers but we managed to find us places to sit in corners. By the time we reached Alwar it was already 7 in the morning. We grabbed ourselves a quick breakfast and bought tickets for Bhangarh. This last phase of our journey was about to take 3 and a half hours.

The rickety bus took us amidst one of the most scenic views I had ever seen. The prepossessing forests of Sariska Tiger Reserve, mountains in the distance, camels on the sides of the road and long endless roads ahead made it hard for us to blink our eyes even for a second. We finally reached Bhangarh around twelve in the noon.

The first site of a board that said “BHANGARH, 3 kms” with an arrow pointing in the direction of the fort literally gave us goosebumps. This point is the closest to the fort where a public transport bus drops you, so we had to cover those last 3 kms on foot. Getting closer one can see the massive walls of the fort guarding the compound. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has put up a sign board stating “Entering the Bhangarh Fort before sunrise and after sunset is strictly prohibited”, which added to the whole eerie feeling that we were experiencing getting closer to the fort. At the entrance one can find a lot of guides who are ready to take the tourists around the fort giving them facts and information about the history associated with it. Though we didn’t ask for the guide but one of them joined us anyway. The first thing that we noticed inside was the sheer number of langoors that were everywhere around. Getting intimidated by their size and sharp teeth I enquired with the guide if they bite or not, to which he replied that none of the langoor has ever bitten anyone inside the fort, which made me feel relieved. So, like other tourists we started clicking pictures of the intricately built temples, palace and the havelis, which is when one of the langoors came from behind of me and bit me hard around my knees. I was in pain, shouting at the top of my voice as my friend, the guide and other tourists looked at me in disbelief as everyone believed that langoors didn’t bite. By this time I was sure that I was the chosen one and I prepared myself for more of mishappenings that I believed was in store for me. I quickly checked the wound which was deep but I was in no condition ready to head back without exploring the fort. So I washed the wound and decided to get to a doctor once we got back to Alwar at night. The guide took us to the different parts inside the fort which was built by Maharaja Maan Singh I for his son Madho Singh in the 17^th century. Now was the time for us to ask the much awaited question “Is this place haunted?” Initially the guide brushed aside the topic with a brief laugh but on further insisting and pestering he gave us all the details that we were looking for. He told us the folklore around the city of Bhangarh.

According to the folklore, a wicked tantrik used to admire the beautiful Maharani Ratnavati and wanted her to marry him. So he replaced her massage oil with a magic lotion which apparently would have made Maharani to fall in love with him. But Rani’s alertness figured it out and she poured the lotion on a boulder instead which rolled and crushed the Tantrik to death. Just before dying the Tantrik cursed the city of Bhangarh that the whole city will be wiped out by the next morning and people here in Bhangarh believe that is what happened.

Another strange thing that the guide told us was people from across the district come to the fort to pray the djinns which reside there. And strangely, cigarettes and liquor are given as offerings to these djinns. No girl is allowed to even come near the temple of worship as it is believed that if the djinn fall for a girl he won’t let the girl be in touch with the rest of the world. We happened to pass one such temple where the prayers were offered. The person who was getting the prayers done was sitting in a corner and there was just a priest inside the temple with him who was performing the rituals. Drived by our curiosity we stood outside the temple to see what was happening when the man in the corner aggressively started shooing us off. The guide asked us to get aside and allowed us to see the rituals from where the man couldn’t see us. It is hard to believe but we saw the priest make 4 lit cigarettes disappear from his hand right in front of us. I am still not sure if that was an illusion, a trick or is there really something that we are completely unaware of. We were asked not to discuss about the whole thing till the time we were inside the fort.It was getting late as we had to get back to Alwar and then for Delhi so we clicked a few pictures got ready for the journey back and waited eagerly to share our experiences with the people when we got home. By the next early morning we were back in our respective offices in Delhi. It just took a day for us to experience something so amazing and strange. We left with just a bag with a couple of clothes in it, but we came back with a bag full of strange experiences and beautiful stories to share.

–

-Anant Gyan Singh

June 14, 2016June 25, 2016

Dad vs Startup – Day 1

*Inspired by True Events*

DAD Vs STARTUP

Starring

BOSS in & as DAD–

Experience of Centuries

Works as Boss @ Office & Home

Me –

Experience – 4 Years

Works as “Who are You?” @ Office

Day 1

2200 Hours

Typical middle class environment. Everyone is in the room with television. Dad is reading newspaper, Mom intensely involved in the soap opera, I am looking for appropriate moment to speak , I lower the Volume.

Me : Dad,I have thought of something.

Dad : Good, occasionally people should do such things.

Me : Dad, I am serious

Dad : Say?

Me : I am planning to Quit my job !!

Dad : So, they are Firing You !! (Doesn’t even look at )

Me : No !! I am Discontinuing

Dad : You think so.

Me : Com’on, OK leave it !!

Mom : At least Listen to him (Gets back to TV)

Dad : Speak.

Me : I think……, I believe …… No !!! I have an Idea. I plan to quit my job and start my own company.

Dad : Done??? Huhhh…. .Cant even start the scooter in the garage, and plan to start a company

Me : Its a 25 years old scooter, which has not been used in 6 years.

Dad : See thats the problem with your generation, there is always an excuse to not do something !! Its not about the scooter, its about the attitude…………………………………..still going

………………………………………….still goin

……………………………………………Still going

……………………………………………..still going ..

…………………………………….Think over it, will talk about it later

Me : I have thought a lot

Dad : Later !!

Leaves for bedroom

I look furiously at Mom

Switch Off the Television & leave the room.

June 13, 2016June 14, 2016

Model Fly over an Active Volcano

Flying a wingsuit over an active volcano has long been a dream for Roberta Mancino. After years of training, she embarked on a mission to Chile’s Villarrica stratovolcano to fly through the sulfur-infused smoke that pours from its crater.

Villarrica proved to be the place where this dream came true. Watch as
Roberta jumps from a helicopter at 15,000ft and flies her wingsuit through the volcanic smoke and turbulence above one of South America’s highest active volcanoes.

June 13, 2016July 11, 2016

The First Ride : Chapter 1

CHAPTER 1 THE PAIN

Date : 19^th October

It was 5 past four in morning, outside the window it was still dark and I was awake way early then planned, my head was pounding and my spine was still expecting the comfort of bed but it was my arm which brought me to awareness in the death of night, my left arm was paining badly, excruciatingly . The source was undetected so was the cause. I tried to hold but in vain, was at someone else’s place, and had no choice.

I called upon my friend who was dead asleep. “I need a Pain relief spray, mine is in saddle bag at your Garage”, he was worried but there was no help to come, most of the medicines were in other room where rest slept. I had no choice but to tie my arm with the bungee cord and get back to sleep, I had less than an hour to get back on my way.

0700 hours; I checked my watch again, I was late…way late. My left arm was still in pain, I was tired but low on time; I quickly massaged the relief gel, did my daily score and was at garage within next half hour. Quickly tied the luggage, wiped off the dirt, lubricated the chain, checked the oil level took some quick snaps, switched on the ignition key and kicked

‘Thug…Thug…thug…thug…’ and comes alive the goddess, relieving me from night of despair & agony.

‘JUNE’ had I named her “THE YOUNGER ONE”. The Goddess of marriage – voluptuous, luminous, strong, sexy and scrumptious was few to lionize.

580kms had we covered together, before reaching Vadodara (Gujarat) at 12:30 am last night. It had been a long day but not once had June showed any sign of weariness. Uneven surfaces, eye opening potholes, nerve breaking bumps we saw it all but none ceased our determination. We were good on schedule, 10 hours sharp, exactly what was planned. 775kms was the target for day 2, and if I felt brave enough 1000kms was the dare.

Few minutes more and I was set to move, tied my wrist watch loosely, I believed the strap had one of the wrong nerve and caused the pain. Shashank was guiding me to the highway. Few more minutes of quick but scrumptious breakfast and I bid adieu to the warmth of comfort and hospitality of a good friend.

“Voadodara to Ahmedabad is a bad patch, it would be night, by the time you reach Rajasthan, You must stay down at Udaipur or Chittorgarh “suggested Shashank.

At 100kmph and 15kms from Vadodara, I was yet not sure; stopping at Udaipur or Chittorgarh was never in plan but

With needles of clock already striking the Nine and Twelve, I knew another 775kms before sunset was a dream run.

*© MagMug 2016 . Unauthorised use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from the author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the Author and www.magmug.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content *

January 31, 2015June 24, 2016

10 traffic rules which exist only in India.

We, the people! The people of this great country completely abide by the rules and laws enforced upon us. In fact, we are so motivated and sincere towards abiding them, that we have a parallel set of rules and laws! 😀 😉

Here, are some brilliant examples!

1] Our TWO WHEELER are meant to be [at least a] THREE SEATER!

“Dude, do you think I am not going to give you a lift just because we are already two on a bike? The ‘great Indian jugaad’ has a scope for everything! Even for you!” 😉

2] While crossing a one way road, you must always check both the left and the right sides.

“Oh mister! What do you think you are? Some Chinese soldier? That you will stop me from taking the wrong lane! It’s my birth right to drive on the wrong side!”

3] Auto-wallahs and the Rickshaw-wallahs are the superheroes of the Indian traffic, they can change lanes without indicators, over-take without giving horns. They can do it all!

“Saab ji! Forget about the fast and furious! We believe in being full-time Rajnikant!”

4] Helmets and seat belts don’t protect you from accidents, they ONLY protect you from the traffic police.

“Oye yaar! There’s a police uncle standing at the signal, let me take out my helmet from the utility compartment before he sees me!”

5] Inappropriately aligned speed breakers aren’t enough to control the traffic speed, we keep FEW MANHOLES AND SEWER-LINES OPEN for the purpose!

“Oh come on, it’s just a manhole! What’s there to create a fuss of it, even if you lose your life! You will be a martyr!”

6] Every second traffic signal has some highly talented artist performing to keep you entertained!

“Sajj rahi gali teri amma, chunar gotte mei! Chunar gotte mei, sunar gotte mei……………………………….!!!”

“Ae cheekne, free ka performance nahi tha, pagaar leti hai mai!”

7] You can enjoy adventure sports like river rafting and yachting during the monsoon that too for free! Free! Free! Free!

“So what, if we get stuck for 4-5 days in the rain! We love the adventure our authorities offer us!”

8] PARKING in NO-PARKING zone is a ritual!

“Me: I just found a free corner on the roadside in the main market and parked my vehicle there! I will be blocking the traffic for next few hours!” 😀

Friend: “OMG! OMG! I am so proud of you!”

9] ZEBRA CROSSINGS are not meant for pedestrians, they are for those prodigy leaders, who lead the traffic as soon as the signal goes green!

10] TRAFFIC CHALLANS are not punishments, they are simply a utility meant to be bought for 100-500 bucks.

“Police uncle, please na! Please! Please na! Have this 200 and don’t give a challan of 700 na! I am like your younger brother na! Please na!”

January 28, 2015June 24, 2016

Yes, we are introverts!

“You are an introvert! A bloody self centred hypocrite! I have never seen a heartless, selfish woman like you! Bloody feminist!”

This was may be the worst kind of insult I have ever been subjected to in my life! But, that was the day, which left me with millions of unanswered questions! Is being an introvert means being self-centred? Or I am a hypocrite? Do I lack empathy to such levels, that I am tagged as heartless, or I am actually this selfish? I do believe in gender equality, but this doesn’t mean I am a feminist or I hate men!

Then why were these adjectives being used for me?

May be because the world has this atrocious habit of judging people by what they look and what they say! If, somebody chooses to differ or stay quiet, he is always a misfit to the ‘crowd’

Yes, we are introverts, and we like being alone! We are deeply in love with our solitude, we don’t like being disturbed or questioned too much about our thoughts! We talk when we want to, we make ourselves unavailable intentionally, just to seek that one moment of love with ourselves! We don’t like a huge bunch of people around us, we prefer being surrounded by a few chosen ones or sometimes not even then!

Is that thing agitating for you?

If yes, then trust me, it’s not our fault! We aren’t self-centred, we do care for people whom we love and trust me, we don’t need to prove this to the world! That’s the beauty of an introvert!

We are hypocrites? Oh really? We are the ones who are brutal in terms of expression. We don’t give a shit about this world, we are happy to be the weirdos, the bloody misfits! We are WE! And that’s what we are! Is this being hypocrite? Then Yooo…hoooo… We are that!

As far as being selfish or heartless is concerned! Then read the above text, the answer is conspicuous.

We prefer writing over speaking, we can overwhelm anyone with the power of our pens. We are the quiet ones, but not the lifeless ones! We stay alone because we want to! We take eons to fall in love, or get over with it! Don’t try to push us outside our tiny cubicles, you might lose us forever. We are not hard to understand, only if you try seeing us with our perspective!

-Udisha M.

January 26, 2015June 24, 2016

A tribute to R.K. Laxman sir.

There are times when you want to say so much, still there is something so poignant which keeps pulling you back! Those times are when, your eyes get blinded by the shedding tears, who are just not ready to stop! Someone, who didn’t belong to you, yet was so special!

The first memory I have of this man is from my school days. I wasn’t a very studious or cognizant child, hence was never bothered about the newspapers or the magazines. But, during my school days we had an NIE [newspaper in education] program driven by Times of India. I chose to subscribe it! Not because I was looking forward to read the newspaper, but for those free movie tickets and food coupons which came as perks with the membership. Every day, I picked the newspaper in the school, put it in my bag, brought it home and threw it in the trash! Without bothering what was written in it! This phenomenally ridiculous activity went on for months, till the day, my newly recruited G.K. teacher took over me [or better say, all the NIE members of my class.]

We were forced to turn the pages of that mammoth sized paper trash [as I treated the newspaper], and find something worth reading!

Wow! What a punishment! Being a distracted kid of the highest order, I was just not able to find anything for myself! After turning a few pages and scanning them, I finally found a small rectangle, saying, ‘You said it!’

“What did I say?”

I thought! Still, I observed that tiny piece of art! It was a political cartoon depicting the current scenario of Indian democracy, I didn’t get its crux. My teacher, noticed me observing something so keenly! [Which was off-course world’s eighth wonder for her, to see a hooligan like me sitting quietly for so long!] She walked up to me and asked what was I looking for?

I showed her the cartoon, and she explained me what was it about! [Which I could hardly understand!]

Anyways, now the Times of India didn’t have to bear the disgrace of going straight into the trash, kudos to R.K. Laxman sir. I used to open the newspaper, see the daily cartoon, sometimes even try to imitate it in my sketch book and then throw it!

This went on for a year or I don’t know how long! With the passage of time, I started following the issues of national importance, only to understand those cartoons, only to draw something like them!

By the time I was in class 11th, I had a sketch book [or a bundle of A4 sheets] with a pack of pencil colors in my school bag permanently! I landed up creating 2 cartoon characters of my own! [Yes, it’s a secret, which I am revealing today!] and started dreaming of becoming a cartoonist or preferably a comics writer some day! My friends teased me, for having that sketch book and colors in my bag, but there was always a piece of newspaper with ‘You said it’ in my sketchbook which kept me motivated!

Today, when I look at that piece of paper, my hands start shivering, the very concept of not seeing that, ‘you said it’ snatches my heart away! What else I can write for this man?

He was the man, who inspired me to read, made me sketch, made me realize that even a hyperactive insane kid can have a constructive brain.

Rest in peace, sir! There’s no such word, no such poetry, no such writing that can define you! You are a phenomenal era of history, that’s all I can say!

-Udisha M. 🙁

January 26, 2015June 25, 2016

ओ री चिरैया

“ओ री चिरैया

नन्ही सी चिड़िया

अंगना में फिर अजा रे”

May be it’s of no use now. It’s been 4 years and still the tone fills the air every time it passes through the lawn of this highly decorated “Haveli”. Long balconies have the safest boundaries over here, but the safety is not assured. Those long swings wishes to give a ride to that missing soul, which is resting in some world unknown, may be, or still which roams across this house.

That was another evening, when the whole Haveli suddenly got the news of the arrival of some new guest. Happiness was spreading like colors. She was having a new life within her. A new identity, a new responsibility, new emotions- A new beginning it was. Being a mother is the toughest yet the best phase of life.

A life within another life, this is such a thing which is beyond any description. One cannot go through it until she is in the same position.

Day by day that new life was growing within her womb. He was eager to play with the new-born, while she was enjoying her experience.

That evening was a different one. Rain was cooling the burnt soil while the moon was showering its light to glisten the ground. An unknown silence was prevailing there, in that house.

She was standing lifelessly while looking at the sky. Her eyes were displaying the horror through which she was passing. Rain was stopped by then. Loose hairs were fighting own battles with themselves, reflecting the inner war, deep in her mind.

“ओ री चिरैया

मेरी चिरैया

अंगना में फिर अजा रे…”

That night the house was lamenting some hidden truth. It was mourning the death of a pure heavenly soul.

She died.

They killed her.

She couldn’t even open her sparkling eyes and they killed her. They didn’t allow her to breathe in the open air. They decided to bury her in her mother’s womb only, the safest place for her.

She fought, she cried, she denied and then she was thrashed. They pushed her from behind. She fell down. But still she survived.

She survived with her life but couldn’t save her child, the one with little wings of fairy. May be she was an angel in real and that’s why she was sent to her own place only. Or is it their misfortune that they couldn’t have her in their life?

Four years! Exactly four years. This day, they killed her. They buried her.

She still watches the moon and waits for her angel to peep out from the clouds once, just once so that she could say her, those words for which she is waiting since long… “Sorry Lado! They don’t deserve you.”

“हम ने तुझपे हज़ारों सितम हैं किये

हम ने तुझपे जहाँ भर के ज़ुल्म किये

हमने सोचा नहीं

तू जो उड़ जाएगी

ये ज़मीन तेरे बिन सुनी रह जाएगी

किसके दम पे सजेगा मेरा अंगना . . .”

-Parvin Banu

Credits: “ओ री चिरैया” Song from Satyamev Jayate.

January 25, 2015July 11, 2016

Biker diaries: 2 || The Royal Enfield fanatics

Often I came across fascinating stories from history about royal men and their stallions who were as brave as them, as ambitious as them and as wild as them. I failed to understand how a human can and an animal can go along so well as if they were a single soul? What was that love which made them mad for each other, making them push all limits to stand by each other?

Then I met this special breed (as I define them) of men in today’s world who are insane to say the least for their machines. They love their bikes more than anything; take care of it like a family member. Guard it like a soldier on the frontiers and what not? And all this, for that amazing piece of metal which gives them immense pleasure merely by its sight.

Their every journey is defined and even planned for it. They can fight with their women for the sake of their machines. They can run away from everything if their urge for that ride calls.

When I see such crazy creatures, I can very much understand how and what kind of bonds did those royals from history had with their stallions. How did they manage to feel the pain of their animal? How well they understood every move, every heartbeat, and every breath of their companion? Why they preferred their cavalry over anything else?

Because they were the ‘Royals’ dying to take a taste of those ‘fields’, of vast lands, battlegrounds and never ending searches.
Those travellers, warriors and wanderers are the men who took birth time and again to become what we call as, Royal Enfield riders!

-Udisha M.

January 24, 2015July 11, 2016

Diary of a ‘COMMON’ Indian.

Day:1 || An encounter with my ‘common’ India.

Dear diary,

Today I started for my evening walk from my place at 7:00 P.M. As usual this biting cold was taking its toll over my pace! I didn’t wanted to walk much, but I kept walking as staying stagnant at a place made me shiver much more!

I heard the music of a ‘damroo’ from a distance, I walked towards that music, its beats were making my legs hurry towards its tune!

I went near and saw a pair or in correct words a ‘couple’ of Monkeys dancing over the tune. That was the stereotype ‘Bandar-bandariya ka naach’ being supervised by a ‘madaari’.

I forgot everything about my walk, removed my earphones, and started watching those monkeys hopping and jumping at every instruction given by their master! It made me nostalgic, my childhood memories started over-whelming me!

There was a time when we didn’t had any PSP and X-boxes, we requested out parents to take us to the annual fair or ‘mela’ where we could watch such street shows! This was an integral part of our life and also a symbol of our ‘common’ Indian culture!

I know many people argue saying that our Indian culture or such traditions are vanishing with time! I don’t agree with them! The metro life-style has made these things confined to very petty levels, but they are still there! No matter what all gadgets we provide to our kids, they still love to watch these ‘bandar-bandariya ka naach’, and this is what a ‘common’ Indian is!

-by a common Indian [written by Udisha M.]

January 23, 2015July 11, 2016

10 Reasons why faujis make the coolest boyfriends and husbands!

1) He can make you forget about the adventures of Mogli and Tarzan with his never ending stories of jungles and mountains.

“How to find directions in jungles, how to sense the coming animal! Damn, he knows everything “

2) His presence in your life will unintentionally build up your geography and military history. Kudos to his transfers and his craziness for wars.

You know there are places like Dibrugrah, Suratgrah, Pathankot, Kirkee, Mhow etc. Etc…
And you know what Kargil war is popularly known as Operation Vijay. Got it?

3) He will make you memorize his raising day, army day and all those days which are important for Indian fauj.

Thus, making you a better patriot than others.

4) He will get you gifts from all corners of the country, thus lightening up your wardrobe even more.

“Awww… Sweety your guy got you a Goa T-shirt, mine got me a Patola from Gujarat, Bhagalpuri from Bihar, Chanderi from Madhya Pradesh, Pashmina from J&K, and so on and so far! “

5) No matter how Tom boyish you are, you will learn to behave like a lady In his presence.

“You know, normally I dress up like a drug addict deprived of daily dope, but I have learnt to drape a Saree and also carry the Salwar suit with dupatta! Damn! Did I just say saree? Hell yeah”

6) No matter what happens, he will never panic and will come up with a solution for your problem.

He will always be like, “Chill babe! I have suffered worse situations, and got away with it! You too can!”

7) He will spoil you with his chivalry completely.

He always has the attitude, “I am a gentleman, I never make a lady wait for me, I always open doors and pull out chairs for them. Women are supposed to be respected!”

8) You will always benefit from the kind of camaraderie and brotherhood he has with his brother soldiers.

From those occasional salutes to arranging for medical facilities at the time of emergency. Faujis stand by their brothers and ladies in every aspect.

9) You can always look up to him for inspiration, be it a tough time or a happy day.

It is said, faujis are ordinary men with extraordinary courage, so there’s always something in them which inspires you and commands respect.

10) And last but not the least, as Queen Elizabeth said: “if a soldier loves you, then walk like a queen!”

Because there are few things money can’t buy and they are respect and honour of being loved by country’s finest gentleman and a warrior.

Say cheese faujis!

-compiled by Udisha M.

*© MagMug 2016 . Unauthorised use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from the author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the Author and www.magmug.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content *

January 20, 2015July 11, 2016

A new beginning.

I can’t deny the fact, that I always dreamed of owning a platform where I could tell those million stories which cloud my mind every now and then. Yes, I already had a blog, and yes, I have done a lot of writing there and even got enough love from it. But, still there was something missing, something which I couldn’t define or describe.

But here’s a new beginning with a new vibe and energy, and thanks to the person who made it possible, Arpit Mishra, my elder brother. 🙂

You keep fighting, keep taunting, keep irritating me, that too in amazingly creative ways! 😛 But, you are always the one who understands my dreams and aspiration more than anyone. So, this post is dedicated to you! I just hope, I manage to keep your gift alive.

Cheers, wish me luck people!

-Udisha M.

January 19, 2015August 15, 2016

Biker diaries: 1 || The Royal Enfield fanatics

Biker diaries. That young guy who saves his pocket money to buy that helmet instead of branded clothes to wear for college. That newly recruit, who keeps his salary for the new upgrade his bike needs instead of throwing a party for his friends. That enthusiast, who avoids dating, because he has to spend on his next trip. That guy next door, who forgets to go to church every Sunday, but never misses an auto-expo. That middle aged man, who keeps his blood pressure and diabetes in control, not just for the sake of his health, but also for his wife’s approval for that Ladakh trip. That man in grey hairs, who never regrets that he hasn’t gone on pilgrim, but grieves for that one unexplored inch of land! That girl, who fought with her parents, to buy a bike for herself! That young guy, who never hears his mom when she asks him to clean his room, but makes sure not a bit of dust touches his bike! That insane fellow, who knows how to kiss the air and hug the scenery while he crosses them on his bike, That bunch of weird fellows who find solace under the cover of sky instead of comfortable bedrooms, Those weirdos are travel-sick, like you are homesick! And you know, who they are? They are the BIKERS!

-Udisha M. On the request of my brother. 🙂

January 15, 2015July 11, 2016

‘Aashayei’ 5th Abstract

‘Aashayei’ 5th Abstract-By Udisha M.

Yashwardhan was left alone in his room with the luggage. He had come to this place with lots of hopes in his heart! But the encounter with Arjun, had made him question his decision. His beliefs got eroded today, he was questioning his god for being so unfair and brutal!
“I don’t know how can a kid of 17-18 can get a fatal disease like this!”, he kept pondering, he didn’t know whom he was supposed to blame?

There was a sudden knock on the door which broke Yashwardhan’s thoughtful slumber, he realized somebody had been knocking on the door since quite long, but he was too lost in his thoughts to take notice of it!
“Hello sir! Good-evening”, Sanskripti greeted him.
“Good-evening!”, Yashwardhan replied, still in the trance of his turmoil.
“Sir, the dinner is served at 8:00 P.M. sharp in the dinning hall, please be on time! We are a little particular about timings over here!”, Sanskripti explained him.
He nodded head in yes, and she went back to her desk!
Sanskripti had noticed Yashwardhan’s uncomfort while talking to him, she very well understood his psyche. She was not just the receptionist of the aashayei, but also the counselor for the patient. Who made sure that every person living in the ashram, lives freely and happily.

She was like a godmother for every patient, she looked over everyone, be it children or old ones. She made sure, that everybody gets adjusted in the place well and discovers a new home. This little abode was her entire universe. The constellation of happiness always danced in her little sky, she felt relieved every time she saw people putting up a brave fight in front of a fatal disease like AIDS. She was an inspiration for many.

*

Yashwardhan nervously unpacked his luggage, placed his clothes in the cupboard provided, shoes were shown their place in the shoe rack. He pulled out a picture of his wife and placed it on the study table! This photograph was something which he valued the most. A small idol of Lord Ganesh and goddess Durga adored a corner of his room. He was a realistic man, but had started worshiping after his wife’s death, as she was very much fond of her ‘gods’ and believed that they were there with her and more importantly ‘with them’ always.

Yashwardhan took a bath, changed into a white Kurta-pajama, lighted a Diya in front of the gods and made his way to the dining hall. His brain was still not able to rest, he had thousands of thoughts churning in his veins, which were throwing his consciousness apart.
“Are you new here?”, a man almost of his age called from behind.
“Yes!”
“Oh! I stay in the room next to you! Hello, I am Sandeep Awasthi!”, the old man introduced himself.
“Pleasure meeting you! I am Yashwardhan!”, he shook hands with him.
“I guess, you are heading to dining hall?”
“Yes!”
“Oh! Then you can join us, you know we are a gang of 11 oldies, you are the 12th one who looks youngest!”, Sandeep laughed as he kept his hand on Yashwardhan’s shoulder. Yashwardhan was a little amused and surprised by the sudden friendship which was forming.
He didn’t say much, just smiled. He was actually not getting the right way to react to this situation.

“Oh! I understand, you are new that’s why you are finding us weird. Isn’t it? Honestly, 2 years back when I came here, I too was like you! My children had abandoned me as they thought that they couldn’t face the society because their father was an HIV+ man! At that time, I hardly had any idea of this disease. I was in depression, but you see, this place is magical! It brought me back to life! Now I have friends who have the same secret as I, so why should I feel depressed and ashamed?”, Sandeep told his story without any hesitation. Yashwardhan realized how brutally honest, this man was, but somewhere down the line Sandeep’s story had a stark resemblance to his own. This made him feel better. Those thoughts of Arjun got sidelined for some time.

Yashwardhan walked with Sandeep towards the dinning hall, in the way he was joined by many men and women of his age. Now, he was getting why Sandeep had said, “we are a group of 11, you are the 12th one!”
They all introduced themselves to Yashwardhan, they had almost the same stories to tell, some of them were abandoned by their families, some didn’t have anyone to take care of them, some had walked out of their hometowns to escape from the social stigma the disease had!

They all had a dark past, but were brightening each-other’s present by being there, their lives were imperfect at their own levels, but their group seemed so perfect to Yashwardhan. They didn’t judge him for the disease, he was carrying, didn’t pay heed to why and how of his infection! They were just the way they were, happy to have each-other!

Yashwardhan didn’t even realize when he reached the dining hall, when he ate with them, even the tasteless food in the mess seemed fun with a company like this! They exchanged jokes like youngsters still had the understanding and knowledge befitting their age.
Yashwardhan felt as if he knew them for ages! He no more had any remorse in his heart, somewhere deep he was thanking Vinay for suggesting this place! He felt as if he was falling in love again. And this time, this love was the love for himself! There was a strange courage building up in him suddenly. There was a time, when he just wanted to cuddle the coming death and leave the world quietly thinking he has done the necessary duties towards the world, but today he was realizing that the duties were not just meant towards others, he had a duty towards himself as well! And that duty was to love self unconditionally and live the life fully!

This new realization was taking on him and brought a bright smile on his face in that darkness of the night!
TO BE CONTINUED………………………………………………………..

*© MagMug 2016 . Unauthorised use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from the author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the Author and www.magmug.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content *

January 14, 2015July 11, 2016

‘Aashayei’ 4th Abstract

‘Aashayei’ 4th Abstract

Yashwardhan kept staring outside his window as the chauffeur drove him to the beautiful and serene land of Haridwar. The soothing and refreshing air of the holy land was filling the atmosphere. Yashwardhan was in a deep slumber, as if he had finally found a lap of someone so beloved, to rest himself forever. He didn’t even come to know when he reached the asharam, ‘aashayei’.

“Sir! Please wake up!”, the chauffeur woke him up and held the car’s door open for him. Yashwardhan was rubbing his eyes like a little kid, trying to adjust himself in the bright daylight of the city! Haridwar always had a special place in his heart. It was the birthplace of his beloved wife Yamini, and also the place where she took her last breath. How much he missed her! He felt as if she came rushing to hug him as he felt the fresh air touching his body. Her childlike laughs were still audible in those currents of the Ganga on whose basin the asharam was built. Those chirping of birds reminded him of her blissful voice, nothing on earth was as divine as that! For a second he was taken back in those days when he visited this city as a young man, coming to meet his would-be bride for the first time. The beauty of Yamini’s eye which made him go bonkers in the first encounter. The bright clear sky reminded him of that blush-fill smile of her’s which she noticed, he was looking at her from the corners of his eyes. That first emotion, of that thing which poets and authors called ‘LOVE’. Who says there is something called, ‘arranged marriage’?
You fall for your soulmate in seconds when, you know, you have found the one!

“Sir!”, the chauffeur’s call brought him back to the present state. His heart sank a little, he missed Yamini every second, every minute of his life! But he knew she was there, somewhere inside him, and everywhere around him. Holding his hand, walking next to him. Smiling with him, every time his lips stretched in one, and crying every time he felt something paining.

Yashwardhan walked towards the reception area of the asharam. It was a beautiful place, with plants and trees adoring every corner of the area. He passed through the joggers park, and was surprised to see that people from all age groups, even young kids were playing around. He felt a little amused, as he had thought that an HIV+ asharam must be only for old aged people like him.

“Hello Sir! Welcome to aashayei!”, a pretty young lady Sanskripti welcomed him.
“Thank-you, my friend Dr. Vinay Singh had spoken to you about my stay I guess!”, Yashwardhan asked.
“Oh! Yes, sir, I hope you are Mr. Yashwardhan Singh from Delhi?”, the lady at the reception inquired.
“Yes!”
“Alright sir, the arrangements for your stay have already been done! I am calling an attendant, he will take you around the asharam and will show you the rooms allotted as well! I hope you will like our humble place! If in case, you face any problem, we are here to assist you!”, she said with a smile and called a young boy Arjun to escort Yashwardhan to his abode.

Yashwardhan smiled at Arjun, as he picked his luggage and requested him to follow to the room.
“Hey, you don’t need to carry everything, wait! Let me share your trouble!” Yashwardhan smiled, and look a bag from Arjun. Arjun was relatively impressed by Yashwardhan’s kindness, he said Thank-you and smiled back to him. There was something, which was connecting them instantly.

As they walked towards the room. Yashwardhan noticed Arjun, he was a tall and well built boy, still in his teens. His growing facial hairs or beards and mustaches were giving the signs of his growing masculinity. His demeanor and etiquette clearly showed he was a kid belonging to a cultured and well to do family. Still, why was he working in an asharam like this?
Yashwardhan kept pondering over it. He wanted to ask Arjun as to why was he here. But wasn’t able to get right words for that.

“Here’s your room sir! I hope you will like it!”, Arjun finally uttered something, as they reached the room allotted to Yashwardhan and he opened the door for Yashwardhan to enter.
“Thank-you son! That’s so kind of you!”, Yashwardhan thanked him and pulled out his wallet to give him some tip for his service.
“No need for that, sir! I am not an employee over here. This is my home!”, Arjun told him when he saw Yashwardhan opening his wallet.
“What?”, Yashwardhan was taken aback. He couldn’t get, what was Arjun trying to say.
“I mean to say, sir, I also live in this ashram because of the reason you have come here!”, Arjun told his side of the story.
“That means….you too are……………”
“Yes sir! I am also an HIV+ patient! That’s why my mom and dad have sent me here! Now this is my home!”, Arjun replied. He seemed so composed, as if expecting a fatal disease that too at such a young age meant nothing to him. Yashwardhan was crestfallen!
He felt so sorry for the kid! His life was just about to start, and it took the turn of a dead end out of nothing! He went numb, he didn’t know how to react. He kept staring at Arjun’s adolescent face! He was such a handsome yet so innocent looking boy!
“You don’t need to worry sir! I am perfectly fine. I take my medicines regularly, and the doctor says I have, many years to live!”, Arjun replied confidently. Even though his reply made Yashwardhan feel better, still his heart for pounding in pain.
“How did you get this infection kid?”, Yash asked him.
“Nothing much, sir! You make mistakes out of stupidity and lack of knowledge of consequences, then pay for it!”, Arjun answered. His remorse was coming over face now, but he was trying to shove it!
“I didn’t get you!”
“Sir, it is simple, I went to Goa with my school friends two years back, we all decided that we will get a tattoo of our group’s name on our shoulders! I didn’t want it, but still out of peer pressure I agreed! We didn’t have any knowledge of how and what precautions should be taken while getting a permanent tattoo! We went to the shop with cheapest rates as we all were mere school kids and didn’t have enough to pay a hefty amount! He used the same needle for tattooing for at least 10-15 people. My friends were lucky that they all got tattooed by a un-infected needle, but I wasn’t!”, Arjun told Yashwardhan.

Yashwardhan collapsed in bed, he had never expected that HIV could spread by such casual mistakes also. He stared at Arjun’s face blankly, unable to utter anything. There was a long undefined turmoil which was troubling him inside. His eyes were going moist. He was just not able to take the harsh truths of life! He lay down there like a stone suddenly hit by a thrashing sea wave, he was hurt but couldn’t move. He wanted to scream, but didn’t have any strength left within him. He wanted to hug Arjun and tell him, he will be alright someday. But that too was a lie!
TO BE CONTINUED………………………………………………………..

By – Udisha M.

*© MagMug 2016 . Unauthorised use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from the author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the Author and www.magmug.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content *

January 13, 2015July 12, 2016

‘Aashayei’ 3rd Abstract.

Vinay and Yashwardhan started loading the luggage in the car as soon as the chauffeur arrived.
“Have you told Vishnu everything?”, Yashwardhan asked Vinay. He somewhere deep inside knew that Vishnu would not accompany him once he comes to know about his disease, but still he wanted to see him for one last time.

“Yash, I want to ask you once again! Do you really want to go? I still want you to go to Europe for further treatment!”, Vinay tried a last time to convince Yash.
“I am absolutely sure about my decision Vinay, I want to do what I am doing!”, replied Yashwardhan adjusting his luggage.
“What if Vishnu doesn’t come with you?”, Vinay asked, still doubtfully about Vishnu’s decision.
“As I said earlier, it’s OK with me, I will keep paying his salary as pension, and please do me a favor! Get him some work if he wants to!”, Yashwardhan was still very worried about Vishnu.
“Don’t worry about that Yash, everything will be taken care of!”, Vinay replied.

Once the luggage was adjusted in the car, Yashwardhan turned towards Vinay to give him a warm hug!
“Saahab!”, Vishnu called from behind.
Yashwardhan turned back, to see him in tears. His throat was choked, he was trying to say something, but it seemed he was too over-whelmed to utter anything! He had been a loyal servant for years, and was extremely attached to Yashwardhan. Seeing his master falling prey to a disease like this was agonizing for him!

“Saahab!”, Vishnu fell at Yashwardhan’s feet, he was sobbing uncontrollably.
“It’s perfectly OK Vishnu, you haven’t done any crime!”, Yashwardhan was getting as to what kind of emotional turmoil was troubling Vishnu. He held him by shoulders and picked him up. Vishnu was still in tears, he was feeling ashamed of himself for being so selfish. He couldn’t match eyes with Yashwardhan.
“Saahab! Humei maaf kar dijiye!”, he finally uttered something.
“Vishnu! Listen to me! It’s your life and you have the rights to decide what you want from it! If you don’t want to come with me, that’s perfectly OK! You will always be the same Vishnu for me!”, Yashwardhan smiled at him and pulled out his handkerchief from his pocket and gave it to Vishnu.

Vishnu was still sobbing, but didn’t say anything. His silence clearly told Yashwardhan that he was not accompanying him for the Haridwar stay.
“I have instructed Vinay about everything, you won’t face any problem here! Just let Vinay know if you want to work somewhere else!”, Yashwardhan finally said those last words to Vishnu and sat inside the car. The chauffeur closed the door for him, and he took the driving seat.

Yashwadhan smiled for the last time to Vishnu, Vinay waved good-bye!
Vishnu was still sobbing, but tried to smile for Yashwardhan.

The car sped away, Yashwardhan finally realized that AIDS had just snatched away a part of his life in the name of Vishnu and many more like him were way to go!

-By Udisha M.
TO BE CONTINUED………………………………………………………..

*© MagMug 2016 . Unauthorised use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from the author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the Author and www.magmug.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content *

January 12, 2015July 12, 2016

Aashayei 2nd Abstract

Aashayei – 2nd Abstract

“Yash at what time you are leaving?”, Vinay called Yashwardhan early in the morning to know his schedule.
“I have sent the chauffeur with the car to get it checked before we leave; as the journey is pretty long and I don’t want to take any risk! I will leave as soon as he comes back!”, Yashwardhan replied.
“I am coming to see you right now! Stay at your place only!”, said Vinay in a commanding tone.
“Alright, I am not going anywhere!”, answered Yashwardhan and the phone was hung.

*

“Yash, I need to know few things about your stay in Haridwar!”, Vinay questioned as soon as he entered the house.
“Say!”
“Where are you thinking to stay there?”
“I have booked a room in an asharam there, it is the only place which will let Vishnu live with me as he is reluctant to leave me alone!”, Yashwardhan replied.
“Listen Yash, I know some people in Haridwar and have come across a asharam on the Haridwar-Rishikesh highway, which is meant only for HIV+ people, its name is ‘Aashayei’ and was built by a doctor in the memory of his son who died fighting AIDS, they have a very good atmosphere there with all the medical facilities and care which are needed by HIV patients. I want you to go there!”, Vinay was not requesting Yashwardhan, today he was ordering like a caring doctor, who knew what was best for his patient.
“But Vinay! I don’t know anyone there! And how will Vishnu stay with me in that place?”, Yashwardhan was taken aback by his friend’s command.
“I have already spoken to asharam people for your stay, and as far as Vishnu is concerned, I will talk about him also! If possible, we will get him employed in housekeeping or something if he is OK with it!”, Vinay replied. He knew that Yashwardhan was a sensitive man, it was not easy for him to leave Vishnu just like that, as he had served him for years together.
“Vishnu doesn’t know about my disease Vinay, I don’t know how he is going to react once he comes to know that I am HIV+”, Yashwardhan was concerned about the social taboos which a disease like AIDS had.
“You don’t worry about that Yash, I will speak to him about it. If in case he doesn’t want to go with you, I will get him employed elsewhere.”, assured Vinay.

*

Vinay was considerably relieved once Yashwardhan was convinced to stay at the asharam, he had brought all the important medicines of Yashwardhan with him and got them packed in his luggage.
“Yash, I will come to see you every month, I promise!”, said Vinay, Yashwardhan smiled and hugged him.

Next, Vinay went in servant’s quarters to see Vishnu, he knew that he was an illiterate man and it would be difficult for him to make him understand the cause and effects of a disease like AIDS.
“What? What are you saying sahab? Yashwardhan sahab has AIDS?”, Vishnu screamed at the top of his voice.
“Yes Vishnu, but you don’t need to worry! AIDS doesn’t gets spread through mere body touch or simple……………………..”
“Ram! Ram! Ram! Doctor sahab! Aap rehne do! Aap log chaar kitaabei padh kar sochte ho ki hum gareeb aadmi bewkoof hai! Batao, hum Yashwardhan sahab ke saath rahenge to humei AIDS nahi ho jaega? Aap humari jaan khatre mei daal rahe hai!”, Vishnu didn’t even let Vinay complete his sentence and interrupted in between.
Vinay tried explaining Vishnu, but he couldn’t, finally he gave up thinking that he is illiterate and will not get convinced no matter how much he tries.

“Alright, since you are not ready to go with Yashwardhan, he has asked me to get you a decent job somewhere, you will keep getting your salary from Yashwardhan as a pension like before.”, said Vinay, coming out of Vishnu’s quarter.
“Sahab! Hum itne bhi swaarthi nahi hai! Aap bas humare Yashwardhan sahab ko thik kar do, humei aur kuch nahi chahiye!”, Vishnu started crying. He had served Yashwardhan for years and even after being scared to go with him, he was worried about his health.
“Look Vishnu, the only cure for Yashwardhan is love and support of his near and dear ones. He has cared for you all like his own child, do you think he would have ever thought of taking you along with him if in case he is carrying a disease which may infect you!”, Vinay held Vishnu by the shoulders.
“Nahi Sahab! Yashwardhan sahab jaise maalik bohot naseeb se milte hai! Wo kabhi humara bura nahi soch sakte”, replied Vishnu.
“It’s totally on you Vishnu that you want to go with Yash or not, he will be leaving in a few hours. Pack your stuff if you wish to go, else you are free!”, concluded Vinay and went back to Yashwardhan’s room.

Vishnu sat on the threshold of his quarter, he couldn’t get over with his turmoil, he was worried about his master at the same time was scared of the fatal disease which Yashwardhan was carrying. His heart wanted to believe in what Vinay had told him, but his illiterate brain kept over-powering it and stopped him from doing what was right.

TO BE CONTINUED……………………………………

-Story by Udisha M.

*© MagMug 2016 . Unauthorised use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from the author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the Author and www.magmug.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content *

January 12, 2015July 12, 2016

Aashayei:1st Abstract

Aashayei – 1st Abstract

It was a warm summer evening; every face in the office was excited yet sad about the farewell party of their boss Yashwardhan Singh. They worked diligently to make sure that each and every corner of their workplace looked as perfect as their boss himself was. Even though Yashwardhan was their boss, but he treated his workplace like his own baby, nurturing each and every detail to make sure that it brings pride and joy to everyone. Each and every subordinate of his loved and respected him like his own family member.

“Hurry up Aditi, sir, must be reaching here anytime!”, screamed adult, Yashwardhan’s personal secretary.
“Apporva, make sure that all the blue balloons have got the same shade!”, he screamed on some other guy. Blue was Yashwardhan’s favorite color and hence, Adyut made sure that the color theme for the party is strictly blue.

Finally, after a hard work of two hours, staff managed to decorate the office as Adyut wanted it to.
“Sir will reach by 9:00 AM, he is very punctual guys, we need to be ready before that!”, instructed Adyut.
In a splendid career of 40 years, Yashwardhan had never got late in his office, his entire record was full of appreciations and achievements; he was a man of high values.

Everybody went back to their seats, trying to pretend that they were treating it as a normal day. Yashwardhan dressed smartly in a gray suit, blue shirt and tie stepped inside the office and was wished Goodmorning by all his subordinates like it happened every day, he went straight into his cabin and asked the peon to call Adyut.

“Goodmorning sir!”, said Adyut entering his cabin.
“Goodmorning young man! Kindly get me the file of Bhatia enterprises, I need to check something in it!”, he commanded.
“But sir………………………………..”, Adyut paused trying to say something.
“What? I am asking for Bhatia enterprise’s file!”, Yashwardhan was himself getting emotional about his last day at the office. His work was his passion and leaving it today forever was pounding. He was trying to sound stern to hide his grief.
“But sir…………………………….”, Adyut’s throat choked. He wanted to ask Yashwardhan to come out of his cabin so that they could start his farewell party, but surprised and scared by Yashwardhan’s sudden change of temperament; he couldn’t get the right words to request his boss.

“May I come in sir!”, finally Aditi and Apoorva came to Adyut’s rescue.
“Yes!”, replied Yashwardhan.
“Sir! Actually, we have arranged for a small surprise for you, but for that you need to come to the main hall, please sir!”, said Aditi.
“What kind of surprise?”, Yashwardhan understood that his subordinates have planned something for him.
“Sir, please come with us, so that we can show you!”, requested Apoorva.

Yashwardhan walked with them, and was welcomed with a huge round of applause by all his employees.
There was a huge blue banner hung at the wall reading “We will miss you sir!”
Yashwardhan’s eyes went moist; he tried controlling himself and cut the cake, which his subordinates had got for him.
There were few games in the party and the entire menu had only Yashwardhan’s favorite cuisine. Adyut, Aditi, Apoorva and almost the entire staff gifted a farewell memento to him and the day passed.

Yashwardhan left his office with a heavy heart, he wept like a four year old in his car way back home. It seemed as if, his world had finished with his professional life.

He stepped inside the house and closed the door behind, loosened his tie and crashed on his rocking chair and closed his eyes.

*

“Sahab!”
“Saaaaaaaaaaahab!”
“Saaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahaaabbbbbb!!!!!”, that was his servant Vishnu waking him up.
“Yes!”, Yashwardhan woke up and rubbed his eyes.
“Sahab, Doctor Sahab aaye hai aap se milne!”, Vishnu replied.
“Unko bithao, hum aa rahe!”, replied Yashwardhan. He didn’t remember when he dozed off in his rocking chair itself. He stood up, washed his face, combed his hair and went in the living room where his best-friend, his confidant and his family doctor, Vinay was sitting.

“Hey old man!”, Vinay winked as soon as he saw Yashwardhan. Even though both of them were in their late 50s, but seeing each-other made them feel young always.
“Hello uncle!”, Yashwardhan winked back, taking on Vinay’s sarcasm.
“How are you? How was the last day at the office?”, Vinay asked getting a little serious. He had some important and grave issues to discuss today.
“Ah.. It just went by! I don’t even know how time passed so quickly!”, replied Yashwardhan poignantly.
“Yash! You know what? I need to discuss something with you!”, Vinay held his hand.
“What? Am I going to die tomorrow?”, asked Yashwardhan trying to crack a joke to make the situation lightly.
“Can you call your sons from US for a few days?”, Vinay asked.
“You know I can’t do that, even if I call them, they won’t come!”, Yashwardhan knew his children well, they both were self-centered and never bothered to look after him, even after his wife’s death.
“Yash! actuallyyyyyyyyyyyy……………………”, Vinay stopped and lowered his eyes, he could feel a lump forming in his throat. It was painful to bring out these things in front of his best-friend.
“What is it Vinay? I know I am HIV+ and will die someday!”, Yashwardhan replied calmly. He had acquired this infection from an infected blood donor and was fighting it since past 8 years. Nobody but Vinay knew this secret of his.
“Yash! We had been controlling your HIV since these many years with the help of medicinal drugs, but the last blood test shows that we have lost it! Your body has caught Tuberculosis, and hence this HIV has finally turned into AIDS!”, a drop of tear rolled from Vinay’s eyes. Even though he was a doctor, he knew that some or the other day his ARTs will fail and Yashwardhan will fall prey to AIDS, but seeing his best-friend catching a fatling disease was agonizing.

“It’s OK Vinay, as such I have retired today, I have fulfilled all my duties towards my work and family, I don’t have any reason to live a very long life anymore!”, said Yashwardhan taking Vinay’s verdict calmly.
“No Yash! Don’t say that! I have spoken to one of my colleagues in Europe, he said that if you go there for treatment, we can inhibit the virus for some more time and give you a longer and healthier life!”, Vinay suggested. He was struggling to do every bit to save his friend.
“Vinay! Look, I don’t want any treatment now, I have a few months or maybe a year left with me and it’s my last wish to die where my wife, my love took her last breath!”, Yashwardhan stood up and walked towards the wall where his wife’s photo was hung.
“But Yash!”, Vinay tried saying something.
“I don’t want to discuss anything else Vinay, I am moving to Haridwar tomorrow morning itself!”, declared Yashwardhan.

Vinay knew that he won’t be able to convince Yashwardhan for anything at this point of time, he stood up and went back to his clinic to make medical arrangements in Haridwar, so that his friend doesn’t face any problem once he reaches there.
TO BE CONTINUED………………………………………………………..

– By Udisha M

*© MagMug 2016 . Unauthorised use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from the author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the Author and www.magmug.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content *

January 9, 2015July 13, 2016

Writer and storyteller

‘Writer ‘

They called. And as usual, I felt offended. Don’t know why, don’t know how. But yes I did!

I know there must be millions or maybe everybody who finds it a compliment but not me.

Am I a sadist? Or a maniac?

God knows! Paradox might be the right word. But let’s not get into this business of defining me.

As this post is a justification of the reason for feeling offended when being addressed as a ‘writer’

During my growing up years, I wasn’t a voracious reader; honestly, I am still the same. I never had the ability to read anything and everything, and I still don’t have unlike many others. (Intellectual people to be precise)

I read only what I like, or only things which bound me to them, called me within themselves, asked me questions, slapped my ideologies, shattered my ego. Yes, I still like such stuff.

No, I am not a geek. As I said, I am a paradox.

The only thing which I learnt from my choices of books and writings is that, not everyone has an appetite for the so called intellect, not everybody is interested in complicated philosophies, and not everybody is same! Some people (including me) choose to be lame. And they are happy to be that!

And the most important thing, sometimes the most complicated truths are addressed by simple expressions and many a times the simplest expressions take eons to take the face of truth.

Too complicated?

Yes it is! If you will view it from the eyes of a writer, yes it is complicated.

But from the perception of a ‘storyteller ‘ it’s simple, you like it! Go for it! You don’t like it! No need to give a fuck about it! No complications, no extravagant motives. Just a plain and candid string of sentences containing the meaning of those flying thoughts.

The patrons of literary masterpieces will as always argue with you for such an attitude, but trust me dude, not everybody is intellectual enough to understand that simple things are more complicated than the ones which seem complicated in reality.

So before you call me a ‘writer’ kindly understand something, I am not here to write, I am here to, ‘tell stories’.

Of those deadly crimes, of that girl-next-door, of that old faceless face, of that ghost and witch, and many other idiotic things which are so-not-intellectual.

You think we are rebels?

Nah. We are just the ‘storytellers’

-Udisha M.

December 6, 2014July 13, 2016

Why I write?

Why I write?

I don’t write to create literary masterpieces! I don’t write to match that sky-high heavy lexicon! I don’t write to be called as Shakespeare or Keats! I am hell not interested in creating classics! Yeah! You are right! I am not even good enough to do that!
I write for myself! I write for that unconsolidated voice which keeps screaming in me! I write for those flawless flaws! I write for all those things you termed Impossible! I write for myself!
Read or reject it! That’s genuinely none of my business!!!

December 2, 2014July 13, 2016

10 Reasons why you should marry a Lucknow girl!

1] She can easily impress anyone with her ‘tehzeeb’, including your friends and family! 😉

“Namaste aunty! Pranaam uncle!” are still more prevalent than ‘hello aunty and goodmorning uncle in this city!’

2] Lucknowites are foodies by birth, so you will never have any complains about lack of tasty food in your house and even in your Lucknow visits. 😀

Tunday kababi, wahib ki biryani, veg kabab rolls, gol-gappe, dahi-jalebi, imarti-rabdi. Everything over here is yummmmmmmmmmm………………….. :p

3] No matter how angry she is on you or any of your family members, she will never get abusive as it is against our culture. Even if she is warning you, that will also be in courteous style! 😉

“Janaab aisi gustakhiya na karei, ki humei aap ki waalida ki khidmat mei zaleel kalimatei pesh karni padei!”

4] She has a natural taste in art, music and poetry. As Lucknow is a city which has given one of the finest artist and musicians to the world. 🙂

5] She can make your family members drool with exclusive chikankaari gifts from Lucknow! 😉 Trust me dude, even the biggest designers of the world go gaga over our embroidery.

6] Lucknow is considered to be one of the most historically beautiful city. So, if your girl is from Lucknow you will get to see one of the richest cultural heritage. 😀

even the Lucknow Railway station has a story to tell, Bada Imambara, Residency, La Martiniere, Ambedkar park are few to name.

7] Besides her ‘tehzeeb’, she knows how to have ‘tafri’ as well. 😉 So you can go doing ‘Rangbaazi’ on the streets of Hazratganj any given day, as it is said…’Shaam-e-avadh’ 😀

8] She can pray at a temple, dargah, church or a gurudwara! Because secularism is in the veins of Lucknowites. Our legacy of Hindu-Muslim unity is still alive in our hearts. 🙂

9] She is a perfect amalgam of modern and traditional woman. She can enjoy a happening club life with you and also make sure that your family life is always in place. 😀

10] You can always complain that she uses ‘HUM” for singular as well as for plural, uses ‘AAP’ for everybody ranging from younger ones to older ones. But once you have fallen for a Lucknow girl, you wont be able to do without her sugar coated tongue. 😉

November 17, 2014July 13, 2016

‘YOU’ :tiny love tales #1

You are a figment of her memory. Living somewhere at the back of her mind, somewhere in those lost smiles and dried eyes. Your soul has left, but it’s touch still remains! Somewhere in the essence of that dried rose, somewhere in the touch of that silken robe!
You are a dead event, but tend to remain alive! In the lonely corner of that coffee shop! In that favorite menu kept on that table top. In that hustle bustle of the city! In the quietness of the lanes which told the stories of your long walks! Hand in hand you walked with her, making her feel that you are the one for her!
Though your finger prints have faded, but that card still holds your writings! Not-so-beautiful, nor so-charming, still these words held so much when once they were born on this paper! They are dull and blur, craving for the meaning which they once held!
Had she known that the tokens which she thought were a memory, will be the chains of her past!
She still holds that dried rose, trying to smell the love which once it smelled of!
She sits at the same lonely corner of that coffee shop, eating the same favorites in a hope that somehow they will taste the same as they did!

The stars in the sky are still the same, but why do they have lost the directions? The directions of your love which they once showed to her?
The shooting stars no more show up to her, as they are also tired of granting her wishes!

You compared her beauty to the moon, now it is the only one watching over her when she weeps at night! #tiny_love_tales

-Udisha M.

November 16, 2014July 15, 2016

no title!

I don’t belong to here,
the sense of belonging eludes me! Don’t know, Am I a believer or an atheist, I want to believe, but belief gets eroded by the mortal existence.
There is something in the air, so suffocating and so disheartening, may be the questions which fill my mind more than anything!
I don’t belong to where I live, neither do I belong to the space I wish to live. I am a wanderer, whose soul keeps travelling to unknown lands, to undiscovered places. Fighting undefined battles, loving faceless faces! Neither do I belong to the places I travel, nor to the places I have chosen to live. Because I am a wanderer, who doesn’t has a home nor a will! I want to rest, but there is something which doesn’t stops, its just doesn’t stops to let me take a breath, a breath of fresh air, or a gulp of life!
What is it? How is it? Don’t know!
But it is there, somewhere deep, somewhere inside there, which pierces the bone and flesh, and the soul refuses to rest!

-Udisha M.

November 15, 2014July 15, 2016

Things You know If You Grew Up In Lucknow

*LUCKNOW & the Lucknowities*

The ‘Pehle-aap, Pehle-aap’ thing isn’t a joke. Mind you, it happens here.
When asked why do we always speak in plural, we always say it proudly ‘It’s a City of Nawabs and this is the Nawabi style’.
We love it when we talk to non-lucknowities like ‘Ama yaar..’ and their eyes go wide.
If you don’t use words like Dhaansu’ and ‘Bhaukali’, dude you are missing half of the fun.
If you come to Lucknow and miss the ‘Tunde-Kabab’ and ‘waahib ki biryaani’ (if in case you are not a vegetarian) then I promise you will regret if for your entire life, like seriously!
The only place on earth, where even an abusive slang is sugar coated and prefixed with ‘AAP’
Like a dog hates water, we hate the word ‘TU’
We have the weirdest nomenclatures of places, Bhootnath, Daana-Paani, Wire-less Chauraha, Hahnemann chauraha ( often confused as Honeymoon chauraha ) and the list goes on.
When you hear ‘Phod dena’ as a good luck wish from someone, have no doubt, he/she is definitely from Lucknow.
If you know all the ‘Khands’ of gomti-nagar, dude you deserve a standing-ovation.
We don’t need Sarcasm. We possess the ability to threaten someone to death with sugar coated words.
‘Jugaad’, ‘rangbaaji’, ‘Setting’, ‘Maamla’, ‘Scene’, ‘tafri’ ‘Matter’ are the most frequent words used by us.
A, B, C, D are not just alphabets for us. They refer to the blocks of Indira-nagar
When whole India uses ‘Chutte’ for change, we use ‘Toote’ for the same thing.
If you don’t raise your eyebrows when you hear someone wearing ‘Chikan’ then definitely you are a Lucknowite.
We have a special love for ‘Royal cafe’ no matter how many options we have to dine at we chose it without a second thought.
Every outing with your friends ends with an ice-cream on Marine Drive.
No matter you spend all your day at CCD or Barista, you still die for Sharma ki chai and Kesarbagh ki Lassi.
If you have not tasted the basket chat of Royal Cafe, dude you don’t know what chat is!
You have been to Deva Sharif and Chandrika Devi for god knows how many times. [actually you went there after all your exams to beg for passing marks!]
You know you are a real Lucknowite, if I.T. is Issabella Thouborn Girls college and not Information Technology!
If an evening on the streets of Hazratganj[specially the Cathedral Church] is much more fascinating than any Adventure park, then you are surely a Lucknowite.
If your house has atleast one or two art pieces of Chinhat Pottery, you are a Lucknowite.
If you go fasting on a hot summer day, just to stay on a diet of Lucknawi Dasheri, you are ‘pakka Lucknow-wala’
You address your kaam-waali, rickshaw-wala and even a rag-picker as ‘aap’, that’s not a show-off its in our blood, our ‘tehzeeb’
If you celebrate ‘Bada-mangal’ and even organise and participate in a ‘bhandara’, then you are Lucknowite.
If you save your pocket money just to shop enough in ‘Lucknow mohotsav’, you are a Lucknowite.
You find it funny when people from so called ‘hi-tech’ cities go mad on seeing historical monuments, because you have seen a so called historical monument every 500 meters in old city.
When you know the congested lanes of Aminabad and also the wide and clean roads of Gomti-nagar where you go racing with your friends, you are a Lucknowite.
May be the reason for our
‘Dhaansu Luck’ lies in the name of
city itself. After all I belong to ‘LUCK-NOW…!

Shared from: Ayushi Singh: slightly edited by me.

-Udisha M.

November 13, 2014July 15, 2016

An open letter to the citizens of India, from an anonymous U.P. woman.

Dear citizens of India,

Well, Uttar Pradesh is that one state which is hated by many, loved by few but is just not ignorable. We are known for our population[eh.. there are hardly handful of “countries” which beat us in that!] our illiteracy, our “desi gawarpana” and above all, we are the ‘Bhaiya jis’ and “Behan jis” for people from other states!

Honestly, I never had any grudges against anyone who judged me. As I have seen my dad getting posted from length and breadth of the country. Everywhere we have faced this kind of judgmental attitude of people.

But we got used to it, thinking there was no point in arguing with these idiots, as they have the ability to drag you to their levels and beat with their experience!

Now, this is a different story of my life and I don’t want to go into its depth. What shattered me most, when I saw the case of two teens being brutally raped and murdered in my own state, in my own land, in the place which I call ‘home’. and then came the Mohanlalganj case! Even more shocking, but afterwards the stories which unfolded giving the clear pictures were however ignored by the media and even the people!

I felt disgusted and dishonored as any human would do, our bunch of friends decided to protest irrespective of our busy work schedules and we did that.

But there was something more happening around us, on Facebook, on Twitter, or almost every social networking platform. People had started abusing us (the people of UP) just because we are from UP!

Is it a crime to be born in a state which is considered to be the land of Shiv, Ram, and Krishna?

Atrocities on women is not just a problem of my own state. If you go through the statistics, the number of cases of female foeticide, domestic violence, child abuse are happening everywhere even higher in the so called ‘hi-tech’ states. This doesn’t means I or any of UPite doesn’t wants the criminals to be punished.

We boast of the highest number of world heritage sites(including the Taj Mahal) highest number of elite services officers, ISRO scientists, and all blinded people can see is the number of labors going from UP and Bihar to their states.

Even in our state we have labor class coming from different parts of our country. Trust me, they too are as illiterate and as ill-mannered as you describe the UP and Bihar’s labor class. They too are making an average of more than 70% criminals of our states. At times we feel fed up of them, but we blame them not the place or people they belong to. We understand that good and bad people are everywhere, and the bad ones should be nailed. We never insult anyone saying that, “Meri kaam-waali ya mera garbage uthaane wala ladka tumhare state ka hai! Or your state is producing only rapists and thieves!”

Because we understand, underprivileged are underprivileged, they do not have any cast, creed or color and even “REGION” If they have chosen to leave their home behind and walk into a new world, there must be some agony behind it.

As far as our habit of saying, ‘Bhaiya’ or ‘Didi’ is concerned. Then let me remind you, ‘Bhaiya and Didi’ are the words of your national language. and I don’t think so talking in your national language is a crime anywhere!

We address everyone with these words as a mark of respect, even you people use such words in your native language, which we find funny. But we don’t make fun of it as we respect the fact that’s its your mother tongue and you are emotional about its use.

As far as our weird habits are concerned, that our men eat pan-masala, or walk around with a ‘angocha’ on their shoulder. Then there are people in this country, who wear sarongs(lungi to be precise) 8 meter dhoti sarees, weird headgear and what not!

But we never laugh on them, because we have been brought up believing that we must respect the diversity of our country, and we have always done that! And as far as eating Pan/Masala and spitting on random places is considered, our state has started drives to get rid of them. And yeah, leave this, there are states where the consumption of alcohol and drugs tops the charts! Those states are not ours, they are the hi-tech ones with ‘Modern people’

UP and Bihar men are being beaten up in other states, just because they are able to qualify the exams and grab the jobs more easily than the localities! Now tell me, is it a crime in being more hardworking or more intellectual than other people? Children from UP and Bihar grow up with the fact that they have a tough competition to face, be it on state level, or on National level or any damn level. They grow up facing the harsh realities, they know if they don’t grab a decent job, their parents don’t have enough to set up a business or start something for them. The ones from small towns have to leave their homes at tender age of 13-14 for further studies.The age at which you people throw teenage tantrums to your family members. If you actually want to see the struggle, come over, I will take you to the dungeon corners of Lucknow and Allahabad, where students burn the night oil to make a future. We have seen young boys living on salt and rice and becoming class one officers with shear hard-work! If you think I am joking, then just read any random story of an elite services officers from our state, what all they face for the sake of career. On top of that, people blame them for eating away their jobs! Heights! If you feel so insecure about your job, then work harder than them and beat them in competition! As simple as that!

Yes, I do agree to the fact that UP and Bihar still need a lot of development in few aspects. We have produced the maximum number of Prime Ministers for the country, we are considered to be the king-makers in national politics. And may be this is the curse of our fate. Every time politicians try to woo us with their long and wide promises only to prove them futile after elections. Be it Narendra Modi or be it Rahul Gandhi. They know our potentials, they know our caliber, but still all they can see is their vote banks! But it doesn’t means that these states are worthless. At present, the maximum number of youngsters joining the armed forces officer cadre are being produced by these 2 states. The highest number of IAS, IES, IFS officers are coming from these two states( surprised? check the statistics baby!)

and if you still think that people who speak your national language are ‘gawars’ toh ‘Bhaiya ji/ behan Ji! ye rahi aap ki soch! Mujhe geeri huvi mili thi!’
Sincerely,

An anonymous woman from UP.

November 12, 2014July 15, 2016

10 Things you experience when you are in love with a Soldier-Chapter 2

10 Things you experience when you are in love with a Soldier- 2

1] Now, you know that there are places like, Wellington, Khadakwasla, Kirkee, Mhow etc. on the map of our country. Something, which others will never understand or bother to know it.

2] When other girls pray that their boyfriend/husband stays with them all their lives, you just pray that they somehow he stays in peace postings, so that you can visit him anytime. And just in case, anyhow he gets posted in your city! [Goddddddddd!!! Its a miracle] 😀

3] Getting a call from satellite phones is not something way too out of the world for you! Because he calls you from such numbers[you know when!]

4] If you are married to him, you can stay in any kind of accommodation, even if its a single room or a huge bungalow! Because for you, every moment spent with him is a bliss! 🙂

5] He wants you to learn how to cook, not just because he is a big time foodie, but his coursemates and other unit bachelors can storm your house any given time!

6] Now, any of his fauji friend’s girlfriend or wife seems like a soul-sister to you. Because, she is the one who understands your situation better than your girlfriends with civilian boyfriends.

7] Watching a fauji movie with him can be a pain, still exciting, as he keeps disturbing you with technical comments like, ‘ye camo aisa nahi, aisa hota hai! Ye rank aise nahi aise command karti hai!… and blah….blah…blah……………….’

8] You try to keep a record of all his messages, letters, photos almost everything which reminds you of the beautiful moments spend with him, as it keeps you going in his absence! 🙂

9] You know no matter how flirty he gets with other girls, he is a thorough gentleman who loves you truly, madly and completely! And that is what makes you fall for him even more!

10] There will always be thousands who will never understand why you love him, despite the distance and hardships. But only you and your heart knows that no matter what they say you know, “that the girl he left behind, is still behind him supporting her hero!” <3

November 7, 2014July 15, 2016

Whom am I?

I lay down in my bed,

Tossing and turning adjusting myself in life’s twilight!

A series of moments flash in front of my eyes.

Like a sinking boat on a cyclone’s tide!

What all I did and what all I got?

What all I lost and what all I forgot?

Millions of question flock around,

Like a lost rain cloud craving to pour down!

Whom am I the question rises?

A doll of imperfections or a mountain of flaws.

I am made answerable for every scar I carry.

I am interrogated for every stain in my personal diary.

i stand in front of the mirror,

trying to recognise the stranger in it!

“you are a paradox!”, it screams on my face.

my eyes go quiet and body turns stoned!

living a life of flaws and imperfections,

but still they say, i am doing right.

i try to be a part of crowd,

only to be thrown out,

who am I? the question rises.

A stranger to myself, a question for the soul,

I wander, I roam, on unknown lands,

And into unknown worlds,

Only to know, I am a bird, caged in a golden prison.

I try to flap my wings,

And try to fly away,

But I am held by a cage.

I see the beautiful world, the colors it holds,

Just like a rainbow after the first rain,

Just like the golden Sun kissing the horizon,

I try to reach there, to touch the sun,

To touch the horizon!

But what I discover is that they too are mere illusions,

The horizon keeps shifting and the rainbow disappears!

Only to make me realise that nothing is real.

I submit myself to the golden cage,

Taking it as my fate,

Who am I? The question rises.

But this time, I refuse to answer it!

-Udisha M.

November 6, 2014July 15, 2016

Confession of a writer

“What do you want to become in life?”, somebody asked me.
“May be a writer!”, I replied
“What? A love-story writer! Isn’t it?”, the person again fired a question at me! He had gone through my blog and was quiet convinced that I have no-brains, hence love writing love stories! [are love story writers brainless? o.O I didn’t knew that!]

“NO! I would like to a be comics writer, or may publish a graphic novel some day!”, I replied.
“Graphic what?”, That person made a face as if I have cracked a ridiculously pathetic joke!

“Kindly google ‘graphic novels’! You may get what I am trying to say!”, I replied with a poker face. This was not the first time someone had looked down upon me, because I write love stories that too when I am ‘seriously grammatically challenged!’ [and I gracefully accept that, yes I am!]

*after consulting google for graphic novels*

“Ha..ha..ha..ha.. What a crap! Only you can think of doing such stupidity!”, he laughed.
“Yeah, I know I am super stupid! But still, can I ask you for a favor?”, I asked him looking straight at his face.
“Say!”, he replied with a smirk.
“Can you help me in drawing a picture presentation for my little cousin! Its an emergency, or else I wouldn’t have asked you for it!”, I asked him.
“Sure! What all I have to draw?”
“You just need to convey the tale of thirsty crow via pictures!”
“Oh that’s an age old story, who doesn’t knows about it!”
“Yeah, that’s why it will be very easy, go ahead! No words, only pictures!”, I said, and gave him the pencil and paper.

I saw him struggling with the images in his mind, he would draw random things on paper and then rubbed them! I saw him scratching his head, looking here and there for inspiration, but nothing was working.

*after an hour*

“So, are you done with the story?”, I asked him.
“NO!”, he replied giving a ‘god-I-am-fed-up-of-this-work!’ expression.
“You said, that conveying a story through pictures is so easy that it falls in category of stupidity! Now, you only failed in it! Now which category should you fall in?”, I asked him with a stern look.

He went quiet, embarrassment was all he had on his face.

“If you don’t know about something, kindly don’t hold an opinion about it driven by your pseudo intellectuality!”

-Udisha M.

November 5, 2014July 15, 2016

10 Things you experience when you are in love with a Soldier

10 Things you experience when you are in love with a Soldier!

1] When other girls take hours to get ready, you can get ready in minutes as he can make and break plans anytime-anywhere!

2] You have settled for the fact[even if you don’t like it!] that he loves his Royal Enfield and Uniform more than you!

3] He has spoiled you with his chivalry and gentlemen like gestures to such levels that every second civilian guy you meet, seems ill-mannered to you!

4] You have become such a braveheart, that you can travel for kilometers and hours together alone just to see him, but want to hold his hand while walking together, because you don’t know when it will happen again!

5] Even though he fancies the thought of going on a war and dying in the line of duty, you silently feel like killing him when he talks about it! As its very concept shivers your spine. 🙁

6] You have atleast came across 2-3 such girls, who ask if you can help them in getting a fauji to marry! And you seriously get pissed off when they ask you so! Because you love your man, because he loves you and not because he is a fauji!

7] You have watched ‘LOC-Kargil’ for more than 50 times atleast, and everytime Kareena and Saif’s episode[Capt. Anuj Nayyar’s and his fiance’s episode to be precise] makes you senti, because you can relate to every word, every dialogue of it!

8] Now if you are in a Cantonment area, you are either a ‘mam’ or a ‘aunty’ or ‘Mrs. XYZ'[in case you are married] Forget your first name for sometime! 😛

9] You know the best birthday gift you can get, is a surprise visit by him! <3

10] Last but not the least! 😉

March 5, 2014July 16, 2016

Patriotism: The Social Media Patriots

Patriotism: meaning and perception

Google says ‘Patriotism’ means “the quality of being patriotic; vigorous support for one’s country.”
Well, that’s pretty confusing. Honestly, I never understood the real meaning of being a patriot or being patriotic or patriotism. I always felt proud when I saw my country’s flag flying high, I always had goosebumps while singing my national anthem, I danced like hell when I saw the Indian Cricket Team Captain lifting the World Cup Trophy, I clapped every time I saw any Indian bagging a medal at Olympics, I felt angry and frustrated when I saw my innocent countrymen getting killed in terrorist attack.

This what patriotism means? Isn’t it?
I guess, most of you will say yes! May be, in some ways it is! But is singing a national anthem or saluting a flag enough? What about the small and tiny things which we usually ignore without giving it a second thought?

What about keeping the roads of our country clean? or what about making sure that the laws and rules of our constitution are followed well? Many of you will say that its the work of judiciary to assure that these things are taken care off. Frankly speaking, if it is so, then why does the law asks you to ‘wear a helmet while driving’? Or why does it comes to your doorsteps to check whether your child has taken his dose of polio vaccine or not?

Its non of government’s business if you meet with an accident and suffer serious injuries because of absence of helmet, or your child doesn’t takes the vaccines and falls prey to a contagious disease.

Being patriotic is not a ‘gesture’, it is supposed to be a ‘way of life’. You complain about rising petrol prices and at the same time, don’t even bother to take a receipt after refuelling your bike/car, in a way you are yourself supporting black-marketing of the black gold, as we call it! You might haven’t noticed it, but this is the truth. Somewhere, down the line, mine and yours way of living is corrupted, and this little corruptions has given birth to the bigger monster which is ready to swallow our integrity and self-respect on the national level.

We keep putting stupid updates and mock around the politicians on Facebook just to show how ‘cognizant’ we are! But how many of you actually take pains to register yourself to vote?
I guess hardly handful of you! You can put thousand allegations on some party’s PM candidate but you yourself don’t know who is the contender of that party from your constituency! Is it being ‘cognizant’? I don’t think so! This is being stupid and ignorant.

Above things are condemning! Isn’t it? But they are the harsh truth. It is said that ‘take care of the smaller things! The bigger ones will fall in place on their own!’, you want bigger changes in your country, but you don’t want to change the smaller things in you! You don’t want to take pains to park your car in a paid parking lot, and then you expect that the roads shouldn’t be congested. You don’t want to take pains to walk to the dust-bin to throw the trash but you expect that the roads should be clean! You raise a voice against the injustice done to a rape victim but don’t mind watching/reading movies or novels where women are been projected as an object!

Is it shameful? Or its shear hypocrisy?
If you expect someone else to change, then be that ‘someone’ first! Do your bit for the country and then expect others to follow!
I repeat my words, ‘patriotism is not a gesture, its a way of life!’
JAI HIND!!

February 22, 2014July 16, 2016

Confessions of an Ugly girl!

What is ugly? Or what does being ugly means?

Avni never understood this! She was a below average student in her school days. She was 4 feet, 11 inches in height and was gifted with extremely dark complexion! She wore a thick pair of spectacles and was quiet heavy in weight!

She was a loner! Nobody wanted to be her friend as she wasn’t the ‘cool chic’ of the class. She was secluded and even ignored! Here’s her story from her point of view!

I am Avni Awasthi, and I am ugly as they call me! My mom always taught me that beauty is about a person’s perception and his/her’s thought process and not about the color of skin or facial features. But this world kept proving my mom wrong! I was put down again and again for being dark in complexion, for being short in height! For being heavy in weight! I was not good at studies but was a good dancer, but I was never given the center stage as I was fat, short in height and didn’t had a pretty face!

As a kid, I always tried pleasing the teachers by giving them flowers or little gifts which children of my age did, but I never got that, ‘awwww…. so cute!’ response by any of them! May be I didn’t looked like a cute kid of my age. That was disheartening, but my mom said that was OK! I tried smiling all along but it started affecting my confidence level.

When I came in my teens, the girls around me started forming the ‘cool gang’ in school and my locality! For them I was always a misfit or an insult to their ‘cool’ group! They laughed at me if I tried dressing up like them, they laughed at me if I dressed like myself, they laughed at me if I wore heels, they laughed if I didn’t, according to them, I was born ugly and was supposed to be laughed at! I felt humiliated an dishonored but things didn’t changed. I had accepted the fact that I was ugly and god had taken some kind of revenge by making me the way I was! Still a hope existed in my heart that things will get better when I step in college as college crowd is better than that of school!

I entered the college with many excitements and some fears in heart. Soon, after commencement of our semesters we had fresher party, where we had to go in couples. I saw the pretty girls of my class getting approached by tens of boys, but nobody approached me, I felt cornered and rejected yet again. My looks proved that I will never be able to find affection from anyone.

Time changed and I started focusing on my studies, I was a good performer in class now. Teachers had started appreciating me for my good grades, some of my classmates became my friends because they needed help in studies. I found it selfish of them but still I entertained them because the idea of cornered again and yet again had started haunting me!

Out of all the friends which I had in my group, I had started falling for one of my guy-friend. He was indeed a great friend and respected me alot, but I knew he will never like me as in the way I liked him. I wanted to try once, but becoming a ‘butt of joke’ again was a nightmare for me. I stayed silent and he found some girl for himself. I felt rejected but I bared with it quietly, as they said I was ugly!

I passed out from college and found a job for myself, by this time alot of things had changed, people didn’t discriminated in terms of looks atleast on professional level. They employed you if you prove that you had brains. Still, girls who were prettier grabbed more attention of the senior men, and got better opportunities. I had to put up a brave fight at every damn level. Still, I fought for my survival!

Few years rolled by, my parents had started looking for a suitable match for me, but nobody wanted to marry me. For obvious reason, I was 4 feet, 11 inches and resembled any Red Indian you would have came across. Many parents rejected me for their sons saying how can they marry their sons to such a ‘ugly’ girl, whereas the guys put me down saying, that everything is OK about me, but still they need a wife who is representable, and I was surely not that! Some asked for huge dowry in return of marrying an ‘ugly’ girl like me!
My fears and insecurities of teens had come back again and yet again! The world was teaching me, that in a MAN-made world, an ‘ugly’ WOman [as they call me] has no space! May be the ‘MAN’-kind has named us ‘WO’-man because they find us as an object which is suppose to ‘WOO’men!

I decided that I will never marry! I will never let any man see that part of my soul which I think isn’t ‘ugly’. I don’t know why the world is obsessed with fairer skin but I loved my dark skin!
I am 30 now, and a successful career woman! My parents don’t force me to get married anymore as they have also understood that not everyone has got a ‘soul-mate’ in this world! And I have decided something, some years down the line, I will adopt an ‘ugly’ girl and teach her that how ‘fair’ the world is to the ‘fairer’ skin and how ‘unfair’ the world is to the ‘darker’ skin!

January 29, 2014July 16, 2016

Love@IndianRailways

Love @ Indian Railways

“Kal phir NDA Special ek stag ka intezaar kar rahi hogi!”, Kshitij thought to himself, the poor NDA cadet who tried his level best to find a girl-friend in his term break! He joined thousands of groups and pages on Facebook, praised girls even for nonsensical comments, gave friend request to millions, but god wasn’t merciful on him, not even a bit! He asked almost every second girl thinking atleast one of them will be kind enough to become his ‘girl-friend’ and most importantly ‘ball-partner’.

He packed his bags, praised his hairs and stylish beard for the last time looking into the mirror and went to the barber to get the same ‘katora-cut’ or ‘crew-cut’ cadet’s style hair do. He kept wondering what was wrong with him, that his misfortune was not leaving him at any cost!
“Bhagwaan ab toh daya karo! Itne saare terms beeta diye academy mei! ab toh ek ladki bhej do!”, he made a wish.

But nobody was there to listen him, he gave a sigh and picked his luggage and started for the station in an auto-rickshaw with a heavy heart, he watched the guys speeding their bikes on road with their girl-friends sitting with them holding them by waist tightly, laughing and giggling with them. He turned his head away from them out of jealousy.

As told earlier, his misfortune was just not ready to leave him, soon his auto was stucked in a traffic jam. Amidst all the honking-ponking of the vehicles he kept looking at his watch impatiently, he was getting late, and was afraid of missing his train. He couldn’t think of getting out and walking to the station as it was quite far and he had enough luggage with him.

Kudos, to the great Indian traffic and great Indian Railways, Kshitij missed his NDA special, and depressingly he again cursed god for being so rude to him. “Kya bhagwaan! Ladki toh de nahi rahe, train bhi nahi mili!”

*

Kshitij didn’t knew what to do. He called one of his uncle who was in Indian Railways and begged him to arrange a ticket for Pune as soon as possible. His uncle acted promptly and got a ticket in ‘tatkaal’ for him. But it was merely a RAC seat, that meant he was supposed to share his seat with a stranger for this long journey.

“Kaha meri AC 3 tier NDA special, aur kaha ye khataara sleeper! Ab koi motte se uncle aenge, ya do baccho waali motti aunty aengi. Jo raste bhar mujhe lecture deti hui jaegi!”, he thought to himself as he boarded the train and placed his luggage.

Kshitij was standing on the compartment’s door wondering when will the train start. After few minutes, the train started moving, he was still standing at the door as the weather was hot and humid, and standing at the door allowed him to catch some fresh air. Suddenly, he saw a girl running after the train. Bouncy stylish hairs, big black eyes, dimpled cheeks, cute smile! Oh hell! She was the girl of Kshitij’s dreams. He suddenly felt as if he was SRK of DDLJ, “Tujhe dekha toh ye jaana sanam…….. pyaar hota hai deewana sanammmmm…..” It all started playing in his mind, and he was ready with thousand date plans in micro seconds.

“Dumb-ass, get off my way!”, the girl screamed and pushed him aside. She had a huge bag with her, and climbing a moving train was a toll taking task and on top of that Cadet Kshitij Tyagi was standing on the door busy admiring her beauty instead of helping her out. She was considerably pissed off, but controlled her composure and started looking for her berth in the compartment. She found the seat number and dumped her luggage on it. She was sipping water from her ‘rail-neer’ bottle when she noticed Kshitij sitting on the same seat as her’s.
“What’s wrong with you? This is my seat!”, she said with a stern look.
“It’s my seat too!”, he replied showing her the ticket. Finally she realised that it was an RAC seat and hence she has to share it with this ‘dumb-ass’. Kshitij looked pathetic with that crew cut hairstyle and super skinny body.

*

An hour or two passed to the journey, Kshitij had opened a novel to read but he couldn’t. His mind was still busy in manipulating the circumstances in which he could ask this girl out. She too pulled out a book from her bag and started turning the pages.
“Hey are you in engineering?”, Kshitij finally asked trying to begin a talk.
“yeah!”, she answered engrossed in her book.
“Oh! Studious girl!”, he remarked. She immediately pulled her head up as if she was a bit offended.
“I am not studious! OK!”, she replied.
“Then why are you studying in a train journey?”, he giggled.
“Because I don’t have anything else to do!”, she said with a hopeless expression. It was a long journey and she was traveling alone.
“We can do something!”, he smiled.
“What?”
“Let’s play a story-telling game, I will say one line, you add another, I will add another… and it will go on…!!!”, Kshitij gave his idea thinking he was a born genius..
“It sounds so boring!”, she turned her head into her book again.
“We don’t have any other option I guess!”, Kshitij felt a little dishearten. His misfortune was coming back again, and depriving him of yet another pretty girl. Poor cadet!!!!

“Alright let’s start!”, finally she gave a nod.
“Cool! OK! So I started for Pune!”, he told the first line excitedly.
“I got late for station!”, she added.
“I met a handsome guy on train!”, he smirked.
“But he was just some stupid fellow!”, she didn’t showed any interest.
“But he was a cadet!”
“Cadet was not so cool!”
“But cadet acted like a gentleman!”
“Gentleman was very boring!”
“But gentleman asked the girl to be his ball partner!”
“But the girl refused!”
“But after sometime she realised her mistake, and gave a yes to the cadet!”, Kshitij completed the story.

“Here I won!”, he screamed.
“What? What do you mean? How can you just win like that?”, she questioned raising her brow.
“Now since i gave the final conclusion, so I am the winner!”, he said flaunting all his 32teeth.
“God!”, she started laughing. Kshitij’s poor jokes also made her laugh like anything.
“So what’s your name cadet?”, she asked.
“I am Kshitij and what’s yours?”
“Chhavi!”
“Ahan pretty lady has got a pretty name!”, Kshitij complimented, Chhavi blushed on hearing it. Finally the poor cadet had got a fair chance to please the lady.

Chhavi was a cheerful girl, they both were in teens, laughing and giggling with each other, sharing each-other’s food. Kshitij being a cadet, had a diet which would have given inferiority complex to cavemen also, but since he was with a lady, he tried behaving as good and gentle as he could.
He told her about the splendid infrastructure of NDA, about awesome food, ragda, and most importantly everything about the BALL PARTY in a hope that he will any how woo her to be his partner. Chhavi was getting impressed by his simplicity, even though she didn’t liked him at first sight but now her prejudices were getting over. They didn’t sleep even when it was late and they were busy talking and they had an urge to know each other more and more.

Time passed at a blink of an eye, the journey was about to get over. Kshitij and Chhavi had discovered great companions in each other. Kshitij helped Chhavi in carrying her luggage at the platform, he wanted to ask for her number, but was not able to come up with right words to ask for it. His heart was aching somewhere down, as she was leaving.
“Give me your hand!”, Chhavi asked as she sat in auto to her college.
Kshitij stretched it in front of her. She pulled out a pen from her bag and jotted down her phone number on it. Kshitij smiled and kissed her hands and her auto sped away.

“Finally! NDA special jis stag ka intezaar kar rahi thi! Ab wo stag, stag nahi raha! Bhagwaan ne daya dikha di thi us par! Uski girl-friend aur most importantly BALL PARTNER aa gayi thi uski life mei!”,

Kudos to Indian Railways who make people meet and at times make them fall in love!
So, this is how Kshitij and Chhavi’s love-story started at love@IndianRailways. They talked on phone, chatted online and finally found their soul-mates in each other, just to live a ‘and they happily live ever after life.’

January 20, 2014July 16, 2016

Confession of a love-story writer

a love-story writer

Who are the people who write love-stories for others? What are we made up of? Are we those mushy personalities just like any of the characters of our stories or are we a bunch of realistic people who just believing in grabbing readership by any means?
Are we actually so sensitive or we just pretend to be!

We are appreciated and sometimes even followed, we even bear criticism in the hands of so called ‘in geniuses’ who think that writing love-stories is just so lame and stupid. Every time we pen down a love-story people think we are telling our own tale. Is it true? Not always as I say.

Before you judge us, think twice, thrice or as many times it takes for you to develop a level of ‘sensible sensitivity’ imagination and experiences go hand in hand for a writer’s creativity. We have seen happy and sad endings, even tragic in our personal lives, but we don’t put our readers in our frame, we try to think with their minds. Yes, we are empathetic, hard for you to believe but yes we are.
You are stubborn even adamant about the ideologies and principals you follow in your life, we writers believe in breaking the barriers of our perspectives and thought process, and put ourselves in your shoes, just to pen down ‘your’ emotions. You think its ‘stupidity’ then let it be! We are proud to be ‘stupids’.

You ask us don’t we get fed-up of writing fairy tales, I say no, we don’t! Because our ‘so called fairy tales’ gives hopes to many who have suffered at some point of life. We believe in giving them a new belief because there was no one in our time to tell us the things which we tell others. We might be ‘pessimist’ even ‘loners’ but we encourage others to not to become like us, because we don’t want someone to feel what we have felt at some point of life.

You might appreciate our work, you might laugh on it, you might even fall in love with it or might just ignore it. But believe me, we might write humor even when we ourselves feel like crying, we cry everytime we pen down a sad thought. Its in us, everytime, everywhere. You may get it, or may not! But this is how the ‘WRITER’S CREED’ works!

January 12, 2014July 16, 2016

MISTAKENLY IN LOVE || 8th Abstract

Almost 3-4 months passed for Audvik’s break-up. Ishita had married someone else and flied overseas with her brand new husband.
Audvik pretended to be normal but he was not able to get over with Ishita’s memories. She was his first love, their relationship had lasted for 6 long years, the moments spent with her were the best ones of his life, and Ishita had suddenly accused all of them and walked away just like that. His whole body became numb at times when Ishita’s memory came haunting him in night. It felt as if his head had landed in her lap, even when he hated this feeling. It was only Anvita who used to support him when he felt too lonely. She made sure that Audvik doesn’t falls prey to alcohol again, he doesn’t thinks of dissolving himself in intoxicants ever again.

The year was ending now, Audvik applied for a leave of 15 days, as he had some left with him and went home. He was eager to meet his family and Anvita. He never got a chance to thank her properly for whatever she did for him. So he made his mind, to ask his mom to help him in getting a good gift for Anvita.
He reached home and got a warm welcome from his parents. Col. Rathore was really proud to see his son standing tall and brave again after all the emotional trauma he had suffered from, and he also knew it was because of whom.

“How have you been son?”, Col. Rathore asked him once they were done with dinner and were enjoying the after-meal coffee in his room.
“I am good dad!”, Audvik smiled, those memories of Ishita still haunted him, but he had learned to keep them aside.
“So, have you thought of anything ahead?”, Col. Rathore asked him like a caring father.
“Ahead means? Dad sorry I can’t get you!”, Audvik replied.
“Son, I had talked about this to you earlier also, and I wish to ask you again! Its time when you should choose a suitable bride for yourself!”, Col. Rathore kept a loving hand over his son’s shoulder. He knew his son had suffered a lot in past few months, and should be handled with love and care this time.
“Dad! I don’t want to get married right now! I have lost all faith in love, I am scared of believing people now!”, Audvik replied staring at the ground clueless. He was a sensitive man, a loyal boyfriend, who gave his soul to his lady.
“Audvik! I know its not easy, but son life doesn’t ends here! Its really long, you need to find someone who can be there with you in all thick and thin!”, Col. Rathore tried explaining his son.
“Dad! Such things happen only in movies! I cant fall in love again, and there’s no one who will be so loyal to love me even in bad times!”, he replied hopelessly. Ishita’s deeds had left a deep wound in his heart.
“Son, there’s a very old saying ‘that a man’s good times attract the women he ‘wants’ and his bad times attract the women he ‘needs'”, Col. Rathore gave his point.
“I can’t get you dad!”, Audvik was confused hearing what his dad was saying.
“Son, there came a woman who gave you pain, and there came another one who kissed it away! Now its on you, you value the woman who had been your healer or not!”, Col. Rathore gave a little riddle for Audvik to solve.
“I am not getting dad!”, he replied.
“Child, you loved Ishita, but she didn’t valued your loyalty. But there was Anvita who didn’t let you break when you were on verge of breaking! Isn’t she a perfect woman who will be there with you when you need someone?”, Col. Rathore finally came to his point.
“Dad she is my best-friend, and I like her in that way! I don’t love her!”, Audvik replied surprised at what his dad was saying.
“Son, it might be that you don’t love her at present. But tell me, if LOVE was the only ingredient for a successful marriage, then do you think that arranged marriages would be having a better success rate than love marriages? Marriages don’t work only on love, they work on loyalty, faith and trust! A successful nuptial bond works only when both the partners are ready to compromise and forgive each other whenever things work against expected!”, Col. Rathore knew that he will be able to convince Audvik.
“Dad! She is my best-friend, I don’t want to loose her because of anything!”, Audvik said turning his head towards his father. His eyes showed the fear and pain of loosing.
“Son, Anvita is a very mature, well groomed and understanding girl! She respects your family just like hers! She was there for you when you needed someone! What else do you expect from an ideal wife? You give a thought about what I have told you! I will welcome your decision irrespective of what it is!”, Col. Rathore gave Audvik a fatherly assurance and a warm hug and wished him goodnight.

*

Audvik was lying in his bed staring at ceiling clueless. All those memories of Ishita were coming to him. He closed his eyes to show them away, and started thinking of Anvita. The way she stepped out of her house to buy chocolates for his dad even when she was ill. The way she struggled with so many bags just to choose one for his girlfriend even when she didn’t knew much about her, the way she left all her work and came to his unit just because he needed someone to be there for him. She was no wonders his angel and a great girl.

He met Anvita during his leave for quite a number of times, but didn’t asked anything about marriage. He always found a strange poignant depth in Anvita’s eyes which she hided behind a fake smile. She never smiled the way he wanted her to. He tried asking her about past experiences, but she always avoided with some or the other reason.

Finally, it was the last day of his leave, he had made his mind that he will talk to Anvita no matter what outcome he gets.

“Anu I want to talk to you about something!”, he asked her in a deep and determined tone.
“Say!”
“Why do you never talk about your past?”, he asked in same tone.
“Because there’s nothing worth talking!”, Anvita turned her head away from Audvik, her hidden pain was overwhelming her again. She wanted to avoid the conversation as she had done earlier.
“Anu, I know you don’t like talking about it! But why are you punishing yourself like this? You need to move ahead in life! For that you need to talk, you need to let your pain come out so that it leaves you!”, Audvik held her by shoulders.
“Audvik I said na.. I don’t want to talk about it! Please leave me!”, said Anvita trying to push Audvik’s hand back.
“No Anu! I won’t let you suffer like this! You need to talk, you need to get over with things! Talk to me Anu! This silence wont let you live!”, Audvik made his grip stronger, he didn’t allow her to leave.
“Audvik please Audvik! Let me go! I don’t want to recall all that! Please Audvik! I beg of you!”, Anvita busted in tears, the past baggage was heavy, Audvik was making her recall things, from which she was running away since 4 long years.
“Anu! Why don’t you understand! You wont be able to get over with things if you don’t talk about it! Anu I am your best-friend na! Then why aren’t you sharing it with me!”, Audvik looked into her teary eyes to give her an assurance that he will be there for her.

Anvita crashed on floor in tears, a long deep wound was pricked again, she started shivering. Audvik sat in front of her and hugged her, she cried, she screamed, she groaned, but didn’t leave his arms, it seemed as if she had been searching for a shoulder to cry on since very long. Audvik kept supporting her in a hope that she will tell him the reason of this pain once she is normal.
Anvita kept crying for a long time. She didn’t knew what was going around, she just held Audvik tightly and hided her face in his chest and kept weeping.

“Anu, tell me what was it that makes you cry so much!”, Audvik finally asked her.
“His name was Tapish!”, Anvita finally uttered something in middle of all the sobbing.
“He was my college senior! He said he is in love with me right after few months of commencement of my first year! I too fell for him! We were in a relationship. Everything was sweet and rosy in starting, then he started asking me to get physically intimate! My morals didn’t allowed me, so I kept refusing. Finally it was his farewell party, he asked me to take alcohol, but I refused, so he mixed something in my food or cold-drink. I lost my senses, next morning when I woke up I found myself in his bed. My clothes were torn, my dignity was ravaged. Everything was over Audvik! I tried fighting with him but he laughed away saying he dated me because he found me hot and wanted to sleep with me, not because he loved me! I loved him so much Audvik and this is what I got!”, Anvita started crying violently. Audvik couldn’t believe his ears. How could someone do such things to a girl like Anvita.

“Anu where the hell is that bastard now? I wont leave him! He can’t do this to you!”, Audvik screamed. He felt like killing Tapish then and there.
“I don’t know Audvik! He went overseas for his PG! There he was caught in some legal matter for fake Visa or something. He was jailed, I thought that god has done his justice with me! He did wrong to me and he got an answer for that! I have just learned not to trust anyone, not to let anyone have my love! It was my mistake that I worshiped Tapish like my god and this is what he did to me!”, Anvita said in anger and disgust.

“Anu it was not your mistake! Never ever think like that! Loving someone truly is not a crime Anu! You never did anything wrong! You were good, people were bad!”, Audvik tried explaining. He was deeply disgusted by what Tapish did to Anvita.

“Let it be Audvik! I just want to forget him, because he doesn’t deserves my forgiveness!”, she said wiping her tears. Her pain was still evident in her eyes, but she tried being strong.
Audvik stepped forward and hugged her tight, “Anu can I ask you something?”, he said.
“say”
“Will you marry me?”, he asked.
Anvita was shocked, she immediately pushed him back. “Audvik have you gone made?”, she screamed.
“Anu! I don’t anything! I just know one thing, if there’s someone who understands me, and accepts me with all my flaws, then its you and only you!”, said Audvik holding her hand tightly.
“Audvik even after knowing these things you wish to marry me? Are you out of your mind!”, Anvita couldn’t believe what was happening. She had completely lost all hopes of being loved ever again in life.
“Anu, its all past, so how does it matters?”, said Audvik vehemently. He had great respect for Anvita and it didn’t made any difference to him.
“Past is not always just a past Audvik! I was raped! Do you even understand its meaning? That man soiled my soul, my own body feels like a piece of filth to me! And you wish to spend your life with this filth!”, Anvita again busted in tears. The pain of being sexually assaulted was unimaginable, she couldn’t understand, that whom should she blame this on? whom should she ask justice for?
“Anu! Look! Whatever happened, didn’t had any fault of yours anywhere! So, why shall you be punished? You didn’t do anything wrong to anyone, so how can you be filthy? Listen, I respect you for the way you are, and will do it all my life! I will be there with you, even when my hairs grow grey and your face gets wrinkles. I will hold your hand, even when I have to hold a stick in another one, to walk properly! I want to marry you Anu, have a future with you!”, said Audvik and kissed her forehead.

She kept staring in his eyes wondering what was he made of? How much courage did he had to accept a woman with a dark past likes her’s.

They both sat together for hours, Anvita kept sobbing and Audvik kept supporting her. They didn’t talked much, Anvita just kept thinking, she had a great respect arising for Audvik in her heart. He had proven himself as a faithful best-friend and a strong and supportive soul-mate.

Finally, the sun was setting and it was time to go home. Audvik looked in Anvita’s eyes for the last time and asked her, “Will you marry me?”
Anvita couldn’t say much, she just nodded her head in a YES! Audvik was over joyed. He hugged Anvita and almost raised her in his arms. Anvita had tears in her eyes, she never knew that god could be so merciful on her. To send an angel like Audvik to kiss away her pain. She just wanted to get lost in those heart beats of Audvik. It all seemed like a dream to her.

Audvik immediately called his dad and requested him to talk to Anvita’s family and settle all the elderly talks.
Col. Rathore and Anvita’s parents too were very happy to hear a yes from their kids.

Audvik took Anvita for a long drive before dropping to her place, Jagjit Singh went on car’s stereo…….
Meri aankhon ne chuna hai tujhko duniya dekhkar
Meri aankhon ne chuna hai tujhko duniya dekhkar
Kiska chehra
Kiska chehra ab main dekhoon
Tera chehra dekhkar
Meri aankhon ne chuna hai tujhko duniya dekhkar.

Audvik held Anvita’s hand tightly once she was leaving the car to get inside her house, “I wont let you go! I want a good-bye kiss in bribe”, he said playfully.
“Audvik let me go! Mom must be waiting!”, she said hitting him gently with her bag and ran away blushing. Audvik could feel that he has fallen for this girl completely. His arranged marriage had finally made him fall in love.

*

Audvik and Anvita’s wedding was scheduled right after 2 months, and amidst all the love and ‘ashirwaad'(blessings) of friends and family they tied the knot in a big fat Indian wedding style.

Anvita reached Audvik’s home as a newly wedded bride, and was waiting for him in his room. She heard him stepping in, he was singing her favorite ghazal……..
Tumko dekhaa toh ye khayaal aayaa
zindagii dhuup tum ghanaa saayaa
tumako dekha toh….

He came inside with a bouquet of yellow roses in his hand.
“This is for my best-friend who was there with me in all the good an bad times!”, he said handing her the bouquet. Anvita smiled and accepted it. Her smile was so gentle and beautiful, her eyes no more had those heavy past baggage, she had started living freely.
“And this is for the world’s most gorgeous girl whom I fell in love with MISTAKENLY!”, he said pulling a bouquet of red roses from his behind.
Anvita couldn’t believe it, she simply held the bouquet and hugged him. Tears of joy were rolling down her eyes, Audvik wiped them gently and whispered “I love you!” in her ears, she smiled and blushed on hearing it, her cheeks went deep red. He stepped forward and kissed her lips.

That was true that they carried a deep and dark wound from their first loves, but creator played his conspiracy and made them fall in love MISTAKENLY!!!
and they happily lived ever after! <3

HAPPY ENDING!!!
-Udisha M.

January 11, 2014July 16, 2016

MISTAKENLY IN LOVE || 7th Abstract

“Anu!”, Audvik called Anvita in the middle of the night.
“Audvik! What happened? Are you alright?”, Anvita got worried as Audvik had never called her at such odd hour and had never sounded so shattered.
“Anu…. Anu……!!!”, Audvik was not able to speak right.
“Audvik! Are you drunk? Audvik is everything OK? Audvik?”, Anvita got really worried, sleep suddenly vanished from her eyes.
“Anu… Nothing is OK! And it will never be OK! Ishita left me Anu! She is marrying someone else! Everything is over!”, Audvik cried like a two year old. Anvita was shocked, she couldn’t believe her ears. What was Audvik talking? How can Ishita leave him, that too at this point of time when Audvik’s parents were almost ready to accept them.
“Audvik you cool down! I am there na! We will make everything fine! Trust me! Is someone there with you?”, she tried pacifying him.
“Anu… nobody is there with me, I am lonely, I am lost! My love has left me Anu! She is gone!”, Audvik replied.
“Audvik! relax! We will think of some way out, you stay calm! Audvik are you listening? Audvikkkkkkkk…!!!”, Anvita realised that Audvik had hung the phone. She felt worried, Audvik was heavily drunk and had no one with him to drive him back safe. She didn’t knew what to do, she could feel her heart racing in shear terror. “What if Audvik does something extreme to himself!”, she got scared.

She immediately called Col. Rathore and asked for any of Audvik’s colleague’s number. Col. Rathore gave her the number and himself opened his computer to book tickets for Audvik’s place.
Anvita called Audvik’s colleague from his unit and requested him to check the bar and get Audvik back safely if he was there as driving would have proven fataling for Audvik in present condition.

Audvik’s colleague Ashwin was a kind and responsible man, he immediately sent his sahayak to Audvik’s room to check if he was there and he himself went to the bar where they usually went for drinking. After a lot of search he finally found him. He had gone almost numb because of over-drinking and the bar bouncers were trying to search for his address from the cards available in his wallet.

He immediately stepped in, paid the bills and carried Audvik in his car with the help of bouncers. Audvik was continuously screaming Ishita’s name sub-consciously. He loved her whole heartily and getting cheated by her was his worst nightmare which has taken a face of reality today.

Once, Ashwin had found Audvik, he immediately informed Col. Rathore and Anvita, so that they could relax now. Anvita gave a sigh of relief, that Audvik was safe for the time being, but she knew that Audvik needed her.
Luckily, Col. Rathore had booked the tickets by the time Ashwin informed about Audvik, Anvita decided to go with him to Audvik’s unit. They reached there the very next day.

Ashwin had sent a car to pick Col. Rathore and Anvita from the station.

“Sorry sir! I couldn’t come to receive you, was busy because of some official work!”, Ashwin appologised for not making it to the station.
“That’s pretty OK! Where’s my son?”, Col. Rathore asked him.
“Sir he is in his room! His hangover is still not over, he woke up with a heavy headache and was vomiting like anything in the morning! I gave him some pain killers and he is sleeping since then!”, he replied with a sorry face.
“OMG! I want to see him!”, replied Anvita worried.

*

“Ashwin you are Audvik’s best-friend na?”, Anvita asked Ashwin as soon as Col. Rathore got busy somewhere.
“Yes! We two were in same squadron during our academy days, even though I was his senior, we got along really very well.”, Ashwin replied.
“Then do you exactly know what went wrong with Ishita? Why is she being so harsh with Audvik?”, Anvita asked worried.
“Anvita even I tried calling her today, but she didn’t take my call even after 7-8 rings, so I called from a different number, her mother took it. When I tried asking anything she simply said that my daughter deserves a much better man! She is getting engaged in coming week and will be married by the month’s end!”, Ashwin told her. Anvita felt mad, how can someone be so ruthless with a guy like Audvik, he was such a fine gentleman and a caring boyfriend.

What is the craziest thing you have ever said (or done) at an interview and still got the job?

Ikraar – e – Mehfil

“Please be a traveller not a tourist. Try new things, meet new people and look beyond what is right in front of you. Those are the keys to understand this amazing world.” –Andrew Zimmern

“Tourists don’t know where they have been; Travellers don’t know where they are going.” –Thomas Theroux

“The traveller sees what he sees; the tourist sees what he has come to see.” –G.K. Chesterton

“A good traveller has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.”- Lao Tzu

“A tourist observes, sticks out, complains and is oblivious; while a traveller experiences, blends in, is curious and sensitive.”

“Differences of habit and language are nothing at all if our aims are identical and our hearts are open.” – J.K.Rowling

“Like timidity, bravery is also contagious.” – Munshi Premchand

जन्मदिन की शुभकामनाएं – श्री मुंशी प्रेमचंद

&

Happy Birthday – J.K.Rowling

Happy Birthday ‘HARRY POTTER’ too…….

THE STORY OF A SADIST

16 Best Road Trip Circuits Across India

1. Delhi Leh Circuit

2. Golden Triangle Circuit

3. Rajputana Circuit

4. The White Desert Circuit

5. Mumbai Goa Circuit (‘ Dil Chahta Hai’ Circuit)

6. Maharashtra Cultural Circuit

7. North Karnataka Trip

8. Mysore Coorg Circuit

9. Kerala Circuit

10. Tamil Nadu Temple Circuit

11. Best of Eastern Coast

12. India’s best Tiger Circuit

13. Romancing with the Mountains

14. Best of North East Adventure

15. The Buddha Circuit

16. Uttarakhand Circuit

जाने क्यों मैं देता हूं शब्द अपनी भावनाओं को

मैं रोक देता हूं उस धार को

जो बहती है बेधड़क.. उन्मुक्त..शब्द नहीं मिलते हर सोच को

फिर शब्द में डालने के लिए मैं सोच बदल देता हूं।मैं मूर्त करना चाहता हूं अपने हर एहसास को

जो सांसों की तरह चलती रहती है

अनवरत.. बिना मेहनत के..बांधने के क्रम मैं रुक जाती है वह धार

जो शायद विषाद की सीमा लांघ

खुशी की तरफ बढ़ जाती

और अपने ख्यालों में डूबा दुखी मैं

शायद खुश भी हो जाता!

लेकिन अब शब्दों के जाल में घिरे मेरे एहसास दुख का प्रयाय बन के रह गए हैं..

जाने क्यों मैं देता हूं शब्द अपनी भावनाओं को!

DEVIL IN ME

My mind insane, all I want is fame,

I am ready to gamble and garble.

Damn those ethics, they can rush to drain.

I conjure to be the next “Kaiser”

From the guy next door to the lone survivor.

Ya I know, I know, it’s a hard nut to crack.

Trust me I’ll have every chance to brag!!

They say “Avarice”is the root of all evils”

I yell “it’s the only root to the top of the hill”

Destination’s what matter,

No matter if it’s your friend or foe you have to kill.

I am a backstabber when it comes to victory,

& voluble enough to create mystery.

I know self-praise is no recommendation,

but it acts as a tool for self-exploration.

Nothing is wrong till the time you don’t regret it,

Life is nothing, just an exhibition of wit.

You can get things done with a strike of fist.

The only better option is wricking the wrist.

I wonder, why be a saint and do what you never want,

Better be a devil, and do things that count.

But you gotto remember, as you do evil, look for like,

Coz you’re not the only one out there to strike.

Never ever blame yourself,

for a simple reason that situations make perceptions.

Never ever curse your destiny,

coz you learn even from deceptions.

It’s not necessary that you win everytime,

But trust me you’ll master the art if you keep on trying.

Atleast, you’ll have something to boast about.

It’s anyways better being a loser, sitting and crying.

My acts are only the repurcussions,

Of the past that I had to bear.

Still I am grateful to the mighty lord,

To execute this plan and flush out all my fears.

A bad man is better than a bad name.

लेकिन अब शब्दों के जाल में घिरे मेरे एहसास
दुख का प्रयाय बन के रह गए हैं..