No Stardom Required.

Tring! Tring! The newspaper is coasted in. Gautam gently gazed at the main door and then resumed sipping his cup of tea. Quite absorbed in the rhythm and tune of the sarod. He has not mastered in music ever but he has a very sharp ear when it comes to ragas. The music stopped but then Gautam seemed deeply involved that the sudden silence made no ripples in his absorbed posture. 

Finally, the silence broke with the sound of the telephone. No options but to get up and attend the call. He opened his eyes as if enlightened by a discourse, got up the chair and advanced to pick the call. Could have been a little fast, the phone stopped ringing, in vain probably. The day has begun hereon. 

He moves on. Changes the music to something more ‘rocking’. Lifts the newspaper and scans through it. Then finally gets glued to the stock market details. Huh! He raises his brow and then the very next moment, takes the remote kept at the tea poy. A random browse through the channels and finally settled for NDTV. The Breaking News Flashed-Satyam Scam exposed! So that’s going to be the next string for news channels to harp on. This is indeed a slight relief from the indecisive melodrama between Indo-Pak, hammering upon each other in the terrorist tug-of-war. 

Gautam scurried with the morning chores and left for his office. As usual he had managed to keep an apple to be munched when stuck in the traffic. Breakfast during breaks from driving! Persistent nagging over the phone did have some effect. From no time for breakfast, it was ‘breakfast in the car’. Gratitude completely goes to his mom of course.

After jostling in the traffic for an hour, he made it sharp on time. He waved a morning smile to all around and entered his cabin. He believes that a genuine smile would do good to onself and others. Perhaps the proportion varies. Well, he boasts of his charismatic smile wherever he goes. That’s his USP, they say. Ask him the secret, he would simply smile and say ‘smile naturally’. 

Takes his seat, keeps the wallet, his i-Pod and his mobile on the desk. Starts his lappy and begins with a short prayer. Gautam opens his mailbox. Well, well, he is going to have a pretty hectic day. With two client meets and a presentation to wind up for the evening. Alongside he has to call up the clients and vendors for price negotiations and follow upon agreed quotations. Well, it is all a breeze!

Recession and layoffs had actually affected the business by and large. The Board of Directors had tightened the policies and as such layoff was not operational. Amidst all fiasco, Gautam seems unaffected or rather deliberately unaware. He spreads calm and positive strokes all the time. Above all is his quick-witted jovial nature. Not even the security man is spared. Despite the managerial post that he beholds, his flexibility is incredible. He can dine with the elite and also stroll along with a colleague for a cup of tea at a kirana store. He would speak unpretentiously and that made him popular and liked.

These clients were a bit late. Punctuality remains confined to a bold mention in the code of disciplines in business. But then, some clients have a freedom to outdo the norms. Specifically, those contributing a great deal in the company’s turnover and profit. Gautam would be given such clients because he truly had a thick skin to handle them. Had it be any other person, the business would have suffered huge losses without the backup from such clients.

His calm nature and intelligent business propositions would leave no room for the clients but to agree to the company’s pricing quotation, at times after a bit of negotiations. He did manage to spare some time to hog some heavy luncheon. Well, he does believe in healthy nourishment to the body and mind. Even though a little lazy about breakfast.

The scheduled presentation was postponed for the next day. Gautam was much more than grateful to have spared him for the day. There were chances for a heavy downpour so he thought leaving early would save him from getting sopped. He was lucky just half way. Had not the traffic been so horrendous that he could by no way beat the rain.

Opened the main door and then. As expected, the sneezing was well beyond a few counts. Even a slight drizzle would have wonderful and immediate effect upon him. He could not make it fast from his car-poach to his apartment. He dried his hair and changed to dry clothes. The sneeze subsided. The mobile rings. He was like, what a timing mom! He could never figure out the connection between his sneeze and his mother’s instant call. He would always ask her that how on earth would she know? He would get a sharp statement-coz am your mom son! That entertains no more doubts indeed.

As the night strolls in, Gautam had the other side to life. This one was different from his marketing guy persona. Not that all knew of this, except for a few. He had this separate room in his house which was not welcome to all. He was an artist in shadows. Nourishing the creative zeal in him was however a passion since some years. The thought of making this shadowed muse the mainstream would not bring in much revenue. So earn for a smart living and live the passion alongside. He has of course a stream of ardent readers who like his works – all under a pen name of course. Sounds very Bollywood script like though. Well, there’s no doubt from where these ‘original scripts’ emerge.Real life incidents turn reel life hits. Now that some directors are modest enough to accept that they are ‘inspired ’. Gautam feels blessed.

What is it that makes his articles, so very interesting? Simple, he writes features that would leave no option for readers but to smile. Yes, when he writes, he has just one goal in mind-‘Smile’. So when the goal is clear, he has just to find alternatives to reach it. Since, his innate nature is embellished in happiness so it just comes natural. The royalty that he earns of the sale goes to the charitable trust. So where marketing seems to be the mainstream to one’s earnings, there is always a secretive side of satiating the creativity and humanity with utmost humility. No stardom required.

A Nostalgic School Crush

A Crush usually has a limited span, I believe so. You cannot call it a serious affair by any chance, especially when there is just a fantacising attachment to it.

My school days have been the best of times. Our school library was a treasure house of books. Study books brought us marks or grades but the novels took us to a whole new fantasy world. Those have been the innocent days where dreams were stress relievers and CRUSHES were an incarnation to our in-depth desires and wishes. Thanks to the influence of the then Bollywood stars and the new comers. Shahrukh Khan, now who is predominantly called King Khan was then a heartthrob among the teenage girls.  Now even the guys woo him.

I was in my seventh grade and my recluse would be our School library. In those days, it was like, if you mention a guy for instance, it would affect the entire repute! Seems funny now, isn’t it? I recollect this incident when my friend who studied in another school came home to spend her weekend and also take my English notes.

Tia was all excited to tell me about her school crush. It was fun to listen to her changing crushes. It was some of our fond secrets. Tia narrated any incident quite dramatically and one would be focused on her expressions or dialogues. No wonder she chose a career as a theatre artist later. There was this Shahrukh look alike, not exactly but then all or rather she passed him for being so. His smile was so sweet and he looked cute.  Libraries as Bollywood promotes comes handy for watching crushes free of cost. He was a crush because she said she took her attention off her books to have a glimpse of him, rather his smile. Her then shy nature would never allow her to even think of talking to him as other girls of her class generally did. A distant admirer that she was, I said.

 It was a Saturday. She had to go to school for some seminar conducted by the literary club, a guest writer had been invited. There had been a slight drizzle that morning and her mother had handed the umbrella forcibly to ensure she reached back home dry than drenched. Others had left and Tia had a small chat with her teacher and then started back home. She stepped out of the school premises, when it started pouring.  She thanked her mom in her heart for handing her the umbrella. She was walking taking small quick steps to ensure that her shoes, socks and her tunic did not get wet. 

She heard sudden footsteps from behind. She did not bother, until they passed her. She held her breath and felt the chillness of the breeze pass by her entire body.  I sighed saying, too much of movie influence Tia. She smiled and I resumed listening. The raindrops on her spectacles had impaired the clarity in vision. She wiped her spectacles. He wasn’t far ahead. She walked faster to reach up to him. Holding her breath and not knowing what to do, she asked him that it’s raining and he was walking so casually without an umbrella. Perhaps it was the most stupid question to ask a guy, I told her but I empathized with her equally. He gave a glance slowly, gave his irresistible smile, nodded and waved bye. He hurried his steps as though he would be able to beat the rain and reach home faster.

Tia was so happy as if it had been a dream. Happiness of such sort, when unexpected things happen leaves you day-dreaming. Talking to your crush even though a few words when no one is around .Wow!! Tia felt so great of having initiated a talk and having made the most of the opportunity in her best way. It does not complete here.

A year later she saw him again. This time Tia hardly noticed him. He was walking under the shelter of an umbrella with his girlfriend. When she saw, she thought, there goes my smiling CRUSH. Perhaps the reason being it was nothing beyond a personification of our famous movie hero. Crush as the whole episode denotes lasts for few seconds.

Shadows

She stood there near the meadows

Her eyes glued up onto the crawling shadows

The sky was heavy with a huge army of clouds 

Perhaps all that was needed was the lauds

The wind was moving on the double than swelter

She scurried fast to the nearest manmade shelter

A goat was tethered to a bamboo alongside a cow

They both were given some fresh hay to mow

There was an old man and the lemur watching the fields

Their brow reflected their concern over the months yields

Suddenly the big thunder scared them all

A mighty palm was tired and all set to fall

The intensity was even bigger and towards the dam

Huts were at stake as there was no prior warning damn

The crops had begun to witness the blossoming new leaves

When Mother Nature struck them hard with deep grieves

The water gushed through the canals furiously

She watched her favorite toy ‘Joyie’ floating curiously

The rain slowed and calmed. The girl saw the shadows disappear.

In Search of Green

Mother goat stood wondering whether the new patch of land was worth grazing or was it yet another alluring trap. A trap to be one among those slaughtered every day to appease the human taste buds and be treated mercilessly. Anyways hunger calls first and so the goat took small measured steps to venture into the green paradise. Others followed in due course.

It was a bright sunny day and Timo, the Goatherd boy had brought the trip of goats off for a summer spree uphill. This time it was a new patch of land he chose for them, perhaps that is why they were a little hesitant away from the comfort zone. Timo stood at a distance watching his little lasses enjoy the fresh and soft grasses. Suddenly he felt a shiver followed by his own shriek.  Alas! He saw his goats running hither-thither, the grasses were long so some were stripping off. Timo tried hard to take charge of the situation and calm the little goats but in vain.  All he knew was a loud sound of a gun shot out of nowhere that made the little ones afraid.

At one point of time he started crying and praying for God’s help. Then out of nowhere came an old man who could hardly walk had not he held his broken stick tightly. He came and touched Timo’s shoulder and told him to calm down. He told Timo to close his eyes and say ‘I love you God. Please help my trip of goats attain calm and protect them from injury. I shall always protect them and be their savior.’ Timo was blank to think of any other way so he followed the instructions and offered his prayers.

While he was praying he felt a gentle breeze touch his eyes and what followed was absolute calm. He opened his eyes and saw himself and his goats grazing in their own pace in calm, but he could see any trace of that kind old man. He was sure that the old chap could not walk that fast for sure because of the rock speckled hill. He wished to thank him for his timely help. There was a cloud of white light that dimmed and paved way to sunshine a few seconds after opening his eyes.

Suddenly he was shaken by the bleak sound of one of mother goat and guess what! She was telling Timo, common master, take us to greener pastures. We are done here. Wake up and move. Timo stood bewildered. Was it his dream or an omen to tell him that he was guided by God in my entire journey? 

Amen! Time, the goatherd smiled and moved with head held high and heart full of gratitude.

When Our Dreams Say 'Follow Me'

The simple way to receive our wish or dream is to believe that us are already living it. It maybe a job or marraige or materialistic things, we wish to associate with. When we imagine that we have actually received our wish and start thanking the almighty for the same,we will hear the magical news pretty soon.

The beauty of the law of attraction is the number of signs that appear each day in different forms. It may be a person or a picture or a dialogue or a billboard caption or even a breeze. All we have to do is become Open to these Signs. Ask,believe and receive mantra is a complete process where faith power works miraculously. Unique things seem to happen that helps us focus on our dream. People appear as messengers to guide us or at times negative vibes drain us to the core. These are natural occurrences and towards the end of the process, everything will fall in place.

Aryabhatta’s '0' is the biggest discovery that paved way to millions and billions. When us are in ‘Zero’ it is a positive sign for fresh new beginnings. Zero is calmness and that is when we experience the highest level of receptivity in terms of positive energy and divine guidance to follow our dream. It will lead us to the perfect destination,beyond what we wished for and we will be at peace with ourselves.

I love the number 7 and so here I share 7 magical tips in daily life towards our Realization of Dreams. The list is however endless but these I believe are the essential ones that helps us all with bliss.

1. Define the  wish - dream(job,soulmate,love,family,friends,home,travel, wealth) with clarity because the universe is the jinnie that will start working on our wish as us command. We can add as many to our wishlist. Visualize the dream(s) you daily in your subconscious mind.
2. Build on a solid support system. Our family and friends and even unknown people send positive signs and nourish our thoughts to help us realize our dream faster. Motivational books work wonders to help us keep faith. Imagine that anyone, anywhere around the globe, at some point of time will help us in small or big ways all to help us realize our dreams.
3. Gratitude is a daily affair just like we brush our teeth everyday. This multiplies our chances of realizing our dream faster. When we are grateful for the things we enjoy at present, we become eligible to receive abundance. Words that elude thankfulness makes us stronger and happier each day.
4. Always seek help openly  from people whom you know closely or fairly. The universe has a perfect match for all our dreams. We will be amazed to see our dream in reality out of nowhere and  well on time or even faster. The best part is the perfection as we had visualized. It is because each day we have been believing that we have it fulfilled already, with gratitude.
5. Observe negative thoughts and find ways to vent them out at the earliest. Meditation and calmness or even venting any anger or suppressed emotion will help us sustain normality. Positive thoughts invokes happiness,peace and relaxes our mind and heart.
6. Nature offers amazing therapy and loves our association. Appreciate the beauty and charm of trees, mountains,lakes,flowers and you will be infused with its charm.  Enjoy the summer,winter,spring and rainy seasons for their uniqueness.  A glow on our face will be a symbol of confidence and calm within. Dreams and Nature’s blessings help in our prosperity.
7. Let loose the discipline and give time to do what your heart says. Sing, dance, write, paint,travel,cook, chant mantras and do anything that makes you feel happy and cherubic. After all, our dream includes actions that evolves us brighter and merrier. All plans will work for our highest good soon.

Start Believing in your Dream. Because it will start manifesting into Reality this Moment.

Memories of 'Rock' Star Friendship

It was the first time she told him ‘Hi’,

Walking back home from school,
A casual talk about studies and some smiles exchanged
She was gentle, intelligent yet self-effacing
He was bold, smart yet very straight-forward.

Months passed and friendship blossomed
Little did they realize that they had turned good friends.
Reading books and exchanging few become a routine
Respect and care for each other would always be high.

If ever tears fell because of a failure mark
He would pat her and cheer her up for sure.
Where society had its version for his arrogance,
She would always be on his side for his unassuming nature.
He loved being a Rock star at school and worked hard to get one.

He would come to her home seeking a little help,
A day before submitting any project.
He always knew she would help him unconditionally.
He would score higher than her but she would smile.
Her birthday party would have been meaningless without his presence.
His wishes and presence during festivals also elated their friendship.

Then came the era of crushes and crisis
His list of musings and his craziness would never surprise her.
She knew his fickle heart but did not want to see him hurt
But friendship calls for support than shun.
She had her cherubic likes and he would listen too
Crushes remain as long as you hold your palm open.
They are only but momentary fantasies subject to changes.

She realized that a little too late when the damage was done
He really cared for her and somewhere felt she used him.
He somewhere felt that other girls mattered more to her than his friendship
It was those times when telephones were priceless and kept locked.
Calling and talking was perhaps one of the most frightful desires.

The wonder years of school were about to come to a close
Meetings and talks became limited because of exams
She would wait after each exam to hear from him.
Her presence was most of the time unnoticed.
But then she could feel the wall of silence building high.

The Farewell at school witnessed the entire group
No one ever knew what destiny holds for them.
Celebrations were over as she saw him cheerful with the famous girls
He never spoke a word to her and she felt a pain within.

10 years of friendship mattered more than stupid crushes.

The aspiring and ambitious goals of every one separated happy good friends
Who loved to share their world of books, poems, dreams and goals with each other.
She was given no chance to speak and destiny took her to a far away land.

At times speaking out would give a better solution
Years passed by but every time she spoke of her school life
Her eyes would sparkle with glow talking about her friend.
She prays unconditionally that wherever on Earth he is,
God showers Love, Fame, Success and the Dreams desired by him.

The Noble Peace Voice Touches Civilization

 As the sounds of the cross firing at the border keeps the Indians and Pakistanis heated up with vengeance and blame-game, a breeze of good news was well on time and magical.

Educate a child, be it a girl or a boy

Shocking Realities

Children in the slums can only dream of a toy car and going to a regular school is farfetched a thought. I was watching a documentary recently and was shocked to see the tiny children work in a charcoal factory and their clothes were dirty and smeared with the black ash. They had a different way of life, picking up anything and everything in the city among the garbage dumps that would go to make charcoal. The process of making charcoal was not hi-tech and was based on the olden methods of covering the wood and the materials properly and setting the fire at the perfect temperature required for charcoal. If it backfires, everything is lost. The young children here collect the charcoal in small pieces and go their ways determined to sell and make a daily living. They never desire to go to school as their requirement was basic food.  Children are made to sell coloring books and comics in the city. These children hardly get to read but made to sell educative books to make a living. The scene at war zones is even more terrifying. The makeshift schools are also pulled down because of bombing of missiles so the chances of imparting education for free is also curtailed but uncouth masses who talk weapons.

Girl Child Myth

Across the world, there are children hardly aged 10 or even less who are seen doing menial jobs or forced into tough jobs without being given any health aids or proper food. Child trafficking is another atrocious crime that highlights the lower morals of humans to dire extremes.  Female foeticide is not uncommon these days and where we talk about equality of rights for men and women alike there is one disgraceful group of people who still believe that girl child is a boon and bury them live as soon as they are born.  It is an irony to see people worship Goddess in various forms for realization of different desires. They easily justify the killing of a girl baby because it has been the tradition without any counter questioning. It comes from the so called ‘educated’ masses so blaming the ‘uneducated’ alone makes no sense at all.

There are so many NGOs across the world helping the children with education and basic requirements of food, water and shelter. There are so many awareness drives and donation schemes that call for contribution in cash and kind to help every underprivileged child with education, books, pencils, food and clothing and there are millions actively contributing too. But then why is there still the dark cloud of slavery and poverty that is preventing children from getting the basic learning? Are the donations being used extensively for the purpose of educating such children or does it disappear half way?

Bravery and Faith Radiates Noble Peace

The Nobel Peace Prize 2014 for Malala Yousafzai and Kailash Satyarthi definitely requires a standing ovation. This is not because she is a Pakistani or he is an Indian, it is because they have been contributing towards child rights and education under the clouds of life threats. Everyone has heard about their achievements, whether it is about ‘Malala Diary’ or the Bachpan Bachao Andolan (Save Childhood Movement), they never let the fire of hope die off.  She has had a miraculous recovery despite the Taliban gunshot targeting her for supporting female education in SWAT valley. He has been risking his life many a times while rescuing hundreds and thousands from the clutches of those who used them as bonded labour for their own purpose. Malala is 17 while Kailash is 60 but then their works are commendable because of their strong belief that child education is above religion, above wars and a fundamental right that needs to be respected and promoted. 

Bring back the Smiles

We all work for earning a living, eat good food, wear good dresses and take care of our families respectively.  These Nobel laureates did not help others for recognition, they started alone and gradually their voice was heard universally beyond hatred, vengeance and bad deeds. It does not happen overnight.  But then we can contribute in our little ways. A smile on their face is precious and priceless. Together we can make a million smiles happen to make the world a better place for the children and youth who still grapple in the dust today. Wake up to brighten up their lives and retain their innocent smile towards noble peace and humanity.