For my Love... : Blog # 24

For my Love...

            Manu was sitting on the windowsill of the french window, his favorite place in the home. Outside, he saw a cycle vendor selling cotton chocolates. It always reminds him of his vacations at his ancestral home. He couldn’t wait to meet his Grandmother after exams. He used to pester his mother to take him there. But as he grew older, his visits became less often. He always talked to his Grandma over the phone but then got too busy with his friends to go and meet her. 

            Whenever his mother called him, he made some excuse or the other. It has been over 3 years now since his last visit. For two years, he was tied up with college and a year before that, he was busy with the preparation. ”Manu, I do not want to hear anything. You are going to meet your Grandmother this weekend” said his father without giving him a hearing. When his father was gone, Manu told “Ma, tell dad this is not his college and neither am I his student”. If you want to tell anything, you tell him directly, told his mother. “If I had the courage, will I ask you?” Manu’s mother laughed.

            The road was flanked by lush green paddy fields on either side. He stopped the car near the village pond and dipped his feet. The water was just as cold as it used to be. The lone rock in the middle where Kingfishers wait for their prey was still there. Nothing has changed here.

            Manu honked at the gate. Kaka came and opened the door. With his usual grin, he said “Memsaab will be really happy. You have not come here in a long time”. His grandmother came out to the sit out adjusting her spectacles. “Nannyyyy....” called out Manu. Don’t talk to me. Do you remember when you came here last time? But all it took was a hug for Nanny to forgive. Nanny had a visitor – a middle aged lady. She was leaving as Manu came in. “Who is she Nanny”, asked Manu. “She is the leader of a self help group here. She wanted some advice on certain things.” Ask Kaka to get your luggage. I have made your favourite sweet. Let’s have lunch.

            “Have some more rice. See how thin you have become. Do you remember? You used to ask me to prepare this sweet every day.”  “And we used to lie to mom that I am not having too much of sweet” added Manu laughing along with Nanny.

            Nanny served sweet in the living room and switched on the TV. Manu jumped on to the remote. Tuning in to MTV, he lied down with head resting on Nanny’s lap.”Nanny, why don’t you come and stay with us ?”. “In the city ? Then who will look after the things here?”, she asked.

            Manu woke up to Nanny’s call. He did not realize when he had slipped in to a slumber. “Here, have this tea and let’s go for a walk.” They went to a nearby temple where Manu used to visit when he was a child. The priest smiled at Nanny and said “This must be your Manu. Your nanny comes here only for you.”

            On the way back, they met Nanny’s friend. Manu remembers her face but couldn’t recollect her name. “Manu, when did you come?”. He came today morning, answered Nanny. “I never thought Aiswarya will do like this”. “Is it? what happened?”. It took a while for Manu to understand they were talking about a TV serial and also that he switched to MTV when Nanny was going to watch her daily serial.

            When they were about to enter home, someone called out from the gate. It was Shrikala aunty, nanny’s old colleague. “Why didn’t you come for the pension meeting?”. Manu came today. So I thought will collect the pension next week. “You know Manu, when you were in school, your Nanny used to mark days in calendar for your vacation”. Nanny smiled lovingly at Manu.

            Manu woke up late. Kaaka came with tea. “Please visit your Nanny once in a while. She spends time looking at your old photos.” Manu got dressed and hugged good bye to Nanny. “Come by more often. I always miss you here”. “Sure Nanny, I did not know you were so busy here. Still you always find time for me” said Manu. Nanny smiled and said “ Anything for you my Love”. Manu gave a hearty hug to Nanny and got in to the car.

            He stopped at the pond. He sat on the pavement with his legs touching the water. He took out the cell and kept a reminder for the second Saturday of every month: “For my Love”.

                                               

                                                                                                Arun Babu

           

            

SKH that is not Sri Krishna Hut!: A Potpourri of Memories #13

**An ode to my Alma mater, Amrita School of Business(ASB)...The time when every day was a celebration, our college days...Here is an attempt to revisit those fond memories...

SKH that is not Sri Krishna Hut!

         

The first memory of SKH (Shri Krishna Hall) is our interactive session with the faculty. That is when we all got to know each other. It was followed by the much more interesting fresher’s day given by the seniors. Some of us sang, some of us danced, some of us were made to give funny speeches and some of us were made to wear sarees! J .

SKH played host to UTSAV (our cultural fest), the real Ice breaker. It was then that we all became closer and it brought us close to seniors too. From writing out of the world stories to sketching ‘modern art’ to singing and dancing to the most unpopular songs, it was full on madness and fun. The short skits inspired from life at ASB had us in splits.

How can we ever forget Uday sir’s SAP – G classes (the music that announced the beginning of the class- Arum mani padme hum) and the early morning Yoga sessions. Most of the time, some of us couldn’t get the positions right and at times, some of us fell asleep. I still remember we all cracking up hearing someone snoring during the Shavasana J.

SKH also gifted us the memory of a life time that is Pragati, our Business Fest. It was sheer madness. Pragati is beyond words.

The Diwali celebration and the sweet distribution also took place in SKH. Not to forget the numerous colloquia and screenings of movies and cricket matches!!!

Then the SKH went for a makeover. The row seats, the carpet, the lighting and most of all, The AC! J. But I loved the old SKH more.

 The stage at SKH is special as this was where many of us performed anything at all for the first time in our lives!

# The SKH reminds me of Gumkaji. During our first ever batch meeting, when Gumkaji got up to introduce himself, he hit the speakers with a thud. That was the first light moment we  shared as a batch which was to follow with many many more happy moments which we are thankful for.

Continue reading @ 
To Sir, with love : http://praisesnbrickbats.blogspot.in/2012/05/to-sir-with-love.html

                                                                                                                               Arun Babu.

A Good day! : Blog # 22

A Good day!

* A short story

Gaurav returned from the matinee movie show. It was nothing different from a usual light hearted bollywood movie, but had a feel good factor to it. It was his routine - a movie on Sunday evening with friends. But every time he returned from the movie, it reminded him of having to go for work next morning. According to him, whoever said “Pick something you love to do and you will never feel like you are working” has never worked in their life. He slept off reading ‘The Namesake’, a book recommended by his girlfriend Priya.

 

After the morning cup of tea, he rushed to the station picking up the day’s paper on the way. By now, the ‘paper wala’ knows his preference and sets it aside so as to waste not even a second. The station was not crowded by Bombay standards. Although back home, it will take the whole of his village to crowd the platforms as much. Braving an uncle and his gang of friends, he managed to hop on to the second door of the first class compartment of his usual 8:40 local.

Shekhar was waiting for him. “Hey check out this new song.” Shekhar is as crazy for music as Gaurav is of books. That’s why ‘Landmark’ eats up a large chunk of both their salary. He tried to talk about the Teach India initiative launched by a leading daily. But Shekhar never cared of any such things. It was a very novel idea which implored the youth to take up teaching for the under privileged. He wanted to be associated with this cause. But when he enquired, it became clear that it will clash with his weekend movies and workout sessions. He couldn’t cancel any of them.

Priya boarded after 15 minutes. He always wonders how she stays as beautiful and perfect in spite of the crowd at the station. He loses all the freshness the moment he sets foot in the station. As usual, she was all smiles and cheer. She is the one who makes his days come alive, today and every day. The train started moving and she said “Gaurav, Listen Listen”. She gave one end of the headphone to him. It was the song of the first film they went together. It brought a smile on his face.

The TTE came in at Kurla station. Gaurav has no respect for people who travel without ticket. How rich will a person get out of saving a ticket’s worth! It is not just about money. It is about principles. The TTE asked him for ticket. He took out his wallet and showed. His is a season ticket. TTE stared at him. “Your ticket is invalid. The last date was yesterday.” The passengers started staring at him. “Sir, here is the ticket”, said Shekhar. “I knew you will forget! I reminded you after the movie also yesterday. Thank me at the Mc Donald’s today evening!” He let out a sigh of relief. Before he could say anything, Priya took over “Ohhhh that’s so sweet of you Shekhar”. Shekhar was always like this. In his own words, “A Just In Time friend.” 

He did not speak much that day although Priya and Shekhar were busy with their office politics. Yes, they both were colleagues. All of them got down at VT station (CST these days, but he liked to call it VT just like he called the city Bombay and not Mumbai). 

Was he a little late to reach office? No, it’s still 10 minutes to 9. But everyone has already reached and has started working. He looked at the corner cabin. The boss is IN. That’s why the silence. Uma is his cubicle mate in office. They are good friends so far, thanks to not being allotted the same project yet. He has heard she is a bit tough to work with. But as far as he knows, she is a good friend. After the routine work, he was about to do some prep for the upcoming project. He badly wanted to be associated with that project. It is then that Uma called, “Motu….”. That meant she has brought something from home. He turned 180 degrees, all smiles and asked “What have u brought today?” “Roshgullaaa” Uma declared in her unadulterated Bengali. Those were his favorite. He couldn’t thank Uma enough.

It was then that Boss called him to the cabin. It was a monologue like always. “Gaurav, I came to know that you are interested in the upcoming project. I have been hearing some good things about you from your peers. You will be working with Mr.Swaminathan’s team for the new project. Keep up the good work. That will be all”.  Gaurav had a wide grin on his face.

After office, he headed to McD for the treat he promised to Shekhar. As he was beginning to dip the French fries in the sauce, he heard “Pandu!!” Secretly wishing Shekhar and Priya didn’t hear that name, he turned and saw Ani, his college friend. They were roommates in UG hostel. Both of them hugged each other. It had been a long time. He was extremely happy to have met Ani. He asked Ani to join at their table. They caught up on the good old days. They cracked up over college jokes, some he wished Shekhar and especially Priya did not hear.

All three of them got in to their usual 7.45 local from the last platform. Meeting up old friends is always fun. Isn’t it? Gaurav asked. “Yes Pandu!!!” Priya and Shekhar said in chorus. He couldn’t hide his smile.

The train started moving and someone played an old song which made Gaurav nostalgic. He held Priya’s hands. “So Mr.Pandu, did you send the money order for your secret good – hearted work?” Asked Priya. It was then that Gaurav realized he forgot to send the money for Diya’s tuition, a girl whose education he was sponsoring. “How did you come to know about that, Priya?” “Hello, thank me first. Saw the post it on your table yesterday before we left for the movie. So on the way, I did it and you are welcome!” chirped away Priya. “Thank you so much shona”.  “Yea, go and try the Bengali on your Uma!” Priya said playfully. Gaurav felt lucky to have Priya in his life.

Gaurav opened his door and switched on the TV. After changing in to a t shirt and shorts, he plunged in to the bean bag. There was some TV show on air and the anchor said “It is the smaller things in Life which need to be celebrated. It is the little blessings that make your life worth it. If someone made you smile today, be thankful. If someone took care of you today, be thankful. Be thankful that you had a Good day”. Gaurav could feel his smile reaching his eyes and said “I am thankful for today  :) :) ”.

  

                                                                                                                    Arun Babu.

After all, what are friends for?: Blog # 21

After all, what are friends for?

* A short story 

The clock struck 5 and the call taxi honked below the apartment. Sam and his mother set out to the airport. Before boarding she said “Sameer, All your friends complain you don’t keep in touch. There is more to life than work. You have accomplished a lot for your age. But have a life outside work also.” Sam had got tired of hearing this time and again. He hugged and said good bye to his mom.

Sam went through the last month’s calendar. There was a get together of college friends on May 3rd. He couldn’t make it. The project appraisal came up and when it comes to work, everything else can wait. The next Sunday, his cousins came visiting his uncle living in the city. Again he had to fill in for Riya who was on a holiday. He could have said no but he didn’t want to leave a chance to impress his boss.

Sam took the cell to check if the daily alarm was on. There were a couple of unanswered messages and calls. Nothing concerning work. May be there is some truth to what his mother told. He thought to himself.

Sam woke up to the 6^th ring of the cell . “Hello Sameer”.That meant it’s a call from his hometown. No one here calls him by that name anymore. Sameer, did I wake you up? I called up to say I am coming by evening bus. Be there to pick me up at the station. I don’t know anyone there ok? Before Sam could reply the phone was hung up. It took him a while to make out it was his childhood friend, Hari. They met last month after a long time during a mutual friend’s marriage. At that time Hari told he will be coming to the city this month. For courtesy sake, Sam welcomed him. He had no idea Hari will take him seriously. Things like these disturb him when people take things for granted.

            Today, Sam has a very important client meeting. It could make or break his upcoming promotion. He had been preparing all along for this particular presentation. He thought if Hari does not find him at the station, he will find a lodge and when they meet, he will make something up. Hari is so gullible after all.

Sam reached office. No one in his module has reached. As his colleague Riya always say, it’s because they all have a life! Yea right! Client meeting is at 11. Got some ground work to do. Collected some documents, some data backup, rushed through the presentation once. All set.

The clock showed 930 but there is some confusion in the office. Everyone is moving about. Then he saw Riya coming towards him with a long face. What happened? , he  asked Rhea. “ You didn’t know? It’s all over the news,”  

What’s all over the news?  What is it?, he couldn’t take the suspense.  “We are losing our jobs. Our chairman is arrested.” What? You are kidding me!!! ,Sam couldn’t believe his ears.

Our company is shutting down Sam! Got a mail from the HR asking us to leave the office and wait for further intimation . He checked the inbox.

He felt numb, He did not know how to react, What does he do now?

This company is his identity. His personal life is his professional life. He has not even talked properly to anyone outside work for the last 6 months.

Riya said she is not going home. She did not want to face her family. Ram also said he is going to his friend’s bachelor pad. Sam did not have anywhere to go.

He called up Rohit. The number appeared to be busy. He called up Maya. Her number has changed. He couldn’t go home. He went to the Fern hill apartments of Vidya and Rahul. Neighbours said they are on a vacation.

He went home. Alone and frustrated. He felt restless. The news channels were blaring with his company’s news. He was getting calls from home. He did not pick up.

He lost all his hope. He thought he knew what fear was. That day, he realized what it feels to be scared.

It’s 6 in the evening and the door bell rang. Sam wondered who could it be. He opened the door and saw Hari standing there. He hugged Hari tight. Hari said “Your mom said you might be busy at work. So aunty gave your address.”

Sam broke down. “It’s ok Sameer. Everything will be alright. I resigned the job back home. I have an offer from HP and will be joining next week. Let me see what I can do. After all, what are friends for?”.

                                                                                                                               Arun Babu.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

The courtyard Lawn: A Potpourri of Memories #12

**An ode to my Alma mater, Amrita School of Business(ASB)...The time when every day was a celebration, our college days...Here is an attempt to revisit those fond memories...

The courtyard Lawn          

             This is one place around which our lives revolved (literally!) for the two fabulous years in ASB.

Right from our freshers' day party to our farewell party, this lawn has been indispensable.

Every Pragati(our B- Fest), this place takes the centre stage. The promos, the lighting, the decorations everything found a prominent place here.

Many kalkruti events took place here. The ‘Iron hearts’ event of the last kalakruti conducted here is unforgettable.

The face painting of Utsav is still fresh in my memory. So are the many tea parties that happened here.

Many a time we have also done some last minute prep before the exams.

This is where we threw a handful of colours and celebrated Holi. This is where from we lit up the whole of ASB with beautiful diyas and celebrated Diwali.

            And to top it all, how can we ever forget the famed ASB flash mob and the DJ nights.

The courtyard lawn is also home to the Lone fish. Near the Photostat corner, you see the small pond with the lone fish in it. It’s sad that it has to live a life of solitude. It is so reclusive that its appearance is rarer than the pink slip (Gargi bhavan gate pass). I think some forum should take up its cause





Continue reading @

The SKH : http://praisesnbrickbats.blogspot.in/2012/05/skh-that-is-not-sri-krishna-hut.html

                                                                                            

    

          Arun Babu

Home away from home: A Potpourri of Memories #11

**An ode to my Alma mater, Amrita School of Business(ASB)...The time when every day was a celebration, our college days...Here is an attempt to revisit those fond memories...

Home away from home

          A day in the hostel starts thus: The alarm goes off at 6:00 am. After a lot of contemplation I finally wake up to the see the sun shining brightly through the misty ‘elephant mountains'. At Amrita, this is one of the things I fell in love with first.  

If my friend Jai comes around, we go for a morning walk. Else I sift through the day’s Times of India, sipping a steaming cup of tea. A bit more lazing around later and listening to the wonderful medley of songs that my balcony mate chimby puts together, I head for a shower where the bathroom singers in us come alive. Mostly it will be kutty, chimbi and myself.

After everything, if we have the luxury of time, we head to the mess hall to have some breakfast else we run to the ASB canteen to grab a cup of tea and then to the class.

After the morning session, our hostel, Gautama Bhavan beckons for an afternoon siesta. It’s 5 o clock and there is chatter in the corridor. The evening tea and snacks have arrived. We march towards the road side pavements with our precious little cup of tea. After the evening routine, we come back to the hostel for dinner. It is just an excuse for the night canteen coffee. We sit on the corridor in front of some unfortunate M.tech guy’s room and will go on chattering about nothing (mostly k7 holding court with Kris, Rb, Vikku n Me listening intently J ) that matters, yet great fun J J.

Then everyone goes to their own rooms but me. I head towards the C Block, my room being in E block. Then we spend a lot of time playing pranks on each other. My turph in C block being Suddu, Gilma  and GP’s room. It goes on till late night. It is then that we give suddu a mild heart attack from behind the doors  and do a bit of vaasthu arrangement in Gilma’s room, , the long ‘small talks’ with GP ,Surya ,Mill and yes, Guptaji and viswas’ fun antiques.

Aditya says he knows it’s exam time when he sees me there as that is when I go to viku’s room. I also find this compulsive urge to switch off the light (from outside) of Sharan’s room when he is not inside and at times, when he is inside too J . I must thank the C block a lot for many a hearty laughs.

Hostel life will be incomplete without the birthday celebrations(the cake that flies around, the hugs n the bashing up, the running around...), the Cola* parties, the stolen puff of a smoke, the smuggled in buffets, the list goes on and on... :)

The clock strikes 2 AM and I decide to call it a day. I move on to the first floor cooler for some hot water. I look out to the expanse of the elephant mountains from the first floor balcony and head to my beloved E112.

*Cola drinking is injurious to health ;)

# Hostel will remind me of Phani daaru. Whenever we meet, he tells me his room number indirectly reminding me of the promise I made to him about sweets from home. And I did get him those sweets although on the very last day of stay at hostel.

Continue reading @

The Courtyard Lawn : http://praisesnbrickbats.blogspot.in/2012/05/courtyard-lawn.html

                                                                                                                                   Arun Babu.

The Study Corner: A Potpourri of Memories #10

**An ode to my Alma mater, Amrita School of Business(ASB)...The time when every day was a celebration, our college days...Here is an attempt to revisit those fond memories...

The Study Corner

          When the notice boards scream “Exam time table”, many of us find solace at the study tables in ASB first floor. The Library is too serious a place and the hostel is too comfy to study. The study corner finds the right balance. It’s easier to study here although the proximity to canteen is also a reasonJ .

            It is like this. After the exam in the morning session, we head to the hostel for an afternoon siesta. Then by around 5 o clock, we reach the study corner in ASB first floor. Being not out of the sleep-mode, we head to the canteen for a cup of tea. Sipping the tea along with a bit of surfing the net and FB – ing, we open the book by around 530.Once it is quarter to Se7en( that’s when the canteen shuts down), we again visit the canteen for some snacks. If at all we study anything, it happens only post dinner of course if we don’t get tempted to go for a night walk!

            This study corner did help us in making our professors believe that we are among the studious lot ;) .

Some exams made the study corner a fun place to be in and some other, made us want to rip our hands apart and through it at the books.

Then came our new dean, Dr.G.K and the many comforts that he ushered in. One among them was the couches which gave the much needed companionship to the study tables.

            Those couches were like recliners for us during the tiring exam days. These corners will always remind us of a few hectic yet fun filled days in ASB.

# Study corner reminds me of Anoop aka ‘Karadi’ . Believe me when I say no one in our batch takes exams more seriously. For me and vikku, it was always comforting to see someone is more stressed during exams than we were.

Continue Reading @

Home Away from Home : http://praisesnbrickbats.blogspot.in/2012/05/home-away-from-home.html

                                                                                                                                              Arun Babu