10. Eye Gear.

Eye Gear
--------------

Last week, while loitering around I met a friend who was heading towards the entertainment zone for kids. I chose to tag along.

It was a beautiful setup with a lot of fun filled stuff lined up for kids and surprisingly, a few that allowed adults too.

Initially I was apprehensive to try hands on anything considering it was an opportunity for the kids to enjoy.

However one of the tables was quite unoccupied and I thought of giving it a shot.

It was an eye-gear that I and my eye had never tried. The idea was to wear it below the forehead covering the eyes and strapped from behind. The next step was to face a LED display and stand upright.

At the juncture where countdown to the ride begun, all my eyes could see was a visual in front of me.

The actual stuff was happening on the screen. It was a roller coaster ride. The eyes were completely covered and a 3D experience had initiated. It gave a feel as if I am on the ride.

The difference was that I was standing instead of being seated.

This situation was clearly signalling the brain in 2 directions. The ride experience in 3D (to make it look real) and the posture of my body (standing straight).

To my Head, this was a conflict. The brain comprehended the happening through the medium of eyes and its calculation of the theory that it is scary to stand while the ride was on.

In Reality, it was only happening in the exterior and not to my body.

However, the brain was constantly getting indications that the body will fall down (based on the input coming through eyes) since the ride is on and the body is not at rest.

This circle of events started creating a turbulence and the brain would signal back demanding a balance and Hence the body lost its state of equilibrium and would keep moving.

How funny was that! It was factual, nonetheless.

Doesn't the same thing happens in real life?

A thought germinates. Raring to thrill. Cultivates an idea. A bunch of brainstorming sessions start happening within. Ultimately, some adverse signals traverse and brain resonates otherwise. The  anticipated action plan gets fizzled out and I happily slip into the comfort zone.

For instance, I have been wanting to write this experience since 5 days and finally it shaped out today.

9. Creative Kids.

A friend was sharing an experience at a parenting workshop.

It was all about effectively raising a kid and shaping the best out of its potential.

Most of the parents wanted their kids to excel. However they were focussing on the competition and not the uniqueness. A typical scenario, isn't it?!

How can my kid beat others and rove ahead - was kinda something in almost everyone's mind. More than the growth of the kid, the motive was more or less to fetch the pride in being a wise parent.

In today's world, in addition to the pressure of academics the parents want their kid to showcase utmost creativity.

The spark of creativity had ignited the session. The coach knew it was coming.

He asked the parents a very basic exercise to do

Draw an imaginary picture of a scenery.

100 percent of the parents drew something that I am sure even the readers mind would have knocked right now.

Mountains in the backdrop, Cloud floating around, Stream with water enough to bathe a kid, Sparkling Sun that had color which even Sun would be surprised to see, same colored Birds that would leave the actual bird with Identity crisis, A House with 2 windows and a door which no one would have lived in in life, A coconut tree in the front yard with hardly any fruit and to finish it up a lush green outfield with grass resembling rockstar's latest hairdo.

After observing the output a simple remark was made in form of a question.

Each of us want our kids to be unique and creative while we as a parent are almost the same with our thoughts, imaginations and so-defined creativity; Do you guys thinks that makes a bit of a sense?

With that he opened his Pandora box that was nothing but a regular bag having umpteen similar papers with same kind of drawing.

The last sentence before the concluding remark was - This bag is full of papers that I as a coach has encountered in the past. These papers have been painted by creative parents like the ones in this room.

8. The Unknown Hands.

Moving out of the house with no particular agenda on one of those sporadic lazy Saturdays is congenial for my mind.

Having chosen to use the public transport, I was waiting at the bus stop for the BEST bus to arrive. BEST was not a choice made by me; it’s the name of the Administration run bus service in the Metropolis – for those who are unfamiliar to the Maximum City.

In a span of 3 to 4 minutes, while the eyeballs were still looking for the automobile in red, a 10 something young and modish lad known as Honda Accord stopped by.

I do encounter many people who ask me the directions and I feel glad to assist them with a feeling that, I can certainly attempt what Google is not capable of doing. I assumed the same for the white and sub 5 meter long chap. To my surprise, the gentleman on the wheel bent towards me and asked – Sir, where are you going? I can drop you if you are heading towards where I am; and I won’t be charging more than the bus fare.

In my head, it was more of an opportunity for a conversation that can potentially splurge over next 14 kms.

Nice car – I used a typical way to break the ice.

It belongs to my boss and I love driving it.

My dirty mind without a hesitation bombed and compelled me to ask – So, you drop your boss and pick up passengers on your way back, is it?

I do the same in the evening too – received a composed reply.

You must effortlessly be making around 200 a day. Isn’t it?

Sometimes even more – This time the answer had a little bit of excitement.

Not bad at all – The envious feeling had surfaced on my heart and was evident in the tone. This was not because he is making a mere 200 extra per day but because I felt he is making it with hardly any effort and over and above his salary.

Coincidentally, my chief uses the same words when I settle the accounts with him every Monday morning.

What? Sorry, I didn’t get you.

On an average, I make approximately 1300-1400 per week, which makes it to around 5500 per month.

Do you have to give him whatever you collect from passengers like us?

I don’t have to but I like to.

What’s the deal? – My mind had already gone bonkers on this unreal sounding chat.

So, whatever money I make I give it to him. He adds up the same amount to the monthly total from his end. On the first Saturday of the next month, we buy some stuff and on the following day, we visit varied places that can be supported with their basic needs. I have been working with him since 7 years now and this idea had textured over a simple dialogue that we had exchanged during my interview.

There was no need to know about the dialogue as the outcome was stupendous and I was already cursing myself for my despicable assumptions.

A million salutes to you and your boss – I said as I stepped out of the car before handing over the money and exchanging digits.

7. Speed Of Time.

While our grandparents are being nostalgic about Raj Kapoor flicks and the parents cherishing the memories of the vibrant Rishi Kapoor movies, it's already been a decade since Ranbir Kapoor was launched.

Is time moving fast or am  I dwelling in Slo-Mo?

6. A Girl Behind The Handlebar.

Of the abundant choices that I have (I am luckiest, yea!), I chose to pick up the younger one today and explore the Eastern Express highway (EEH) in Slo-Mo (Slow Motion).

Practically, all my weekday journeys begin with a stress-free 10 km at an average speed of 70 kmph. I have always felt that EEH is the second best terrain in the maximum city to zoooom on; Eastern freeway being the first. However, my love for EEH is unique and shall endure.

While I am penning this down, rather typing this – my inimitable love has scaled more than twice it was. Today, we cruised averaging 20 kmph and all we could witness is lush green forests and mangroves and water bodies and trees and flowers and birds and almost everything that has a potential to soothe the eyes and ears.

The young chap was mute and inexpressive but certainly happy.

Being a first day of the long weekend, the tar was under lesser pressure of wheels. Besides, we chose the service road that was hardly having an occupancy.

Even otherwise, EEH entertains lesser vehicles on its heart compared to what the other so-defined highways of the city do. It carries its own legacy. It connects the Eastern side of the city from North to south yet enjoys the solitude between the 2 vibrant suburbs on its Northern arm covering 10 km on each side. However, I believe (but do not wish) that in less than a decade it will be experiencing a lot of cacophony with the anticipated plans of chopping forest, trees and mangroves; and erecting concrete having similar names.

Well, emotions are difficult to stop once they gain momentum. Let’s enjoy the present day where the green prevails. As we continued, we could see some fitness lovers on a jog and sprints, while others were learning to ride / drive a vehicle. This is more of a regular weekday sight but would happen nearly a couple of hours prior than today. It was a lazy start to the day and apparently, Mr. Sun also wanted to take it easy.

Further ahead on our way, we could witness a 19 something girl striving to fiddle around behind the handlebar of a motorcycle; a friend dedicatedly assisting along. Seldom, I have seen a female riding a geared bike and of the ones, I know – I am aware of only one female who does. I wanted to encourage this gal who appeared at the end of her teens and the reason behind pepping her up was I do have an immense respect for women who ride a motorcycle; for those who don’t it’s not that I do not admire and respect.

I just slowed down and uttered – All the best, be safe and we are proud of you.

She obliged and by the time she could wonder and give a surreal look to me thinking – who is we when it was only me – I had passed her by around 100 meters along with the younger one that you can spot in the picture below before it makes you ponder over the muddle between we and me.

PC: A Cop on the highway.

5. Cop at Airoli Circle.

Today, the roads witnessed lower volumes of wheels on their tar-face. I chose to cruise to work. As I was nearing Airoli circle, I could see a cop waving at me with a smile. In next 3 seconds, if I describe what I thought it would take around 30 seconds to read. Mind is such a potent machine.

Do I have all the documents? Am I having the number plate visible? Oh! It’s a festive season coming up so he might be possessing thoughts of buying some sweets. Did I jump any traffic light? There wasn’t any though! Was I speeding? At 40 kmph, is it called speeding? Oh my God, is it the rear view mirrors again? Since the rear view mirrors are below the handlebar and barely visible from a distance, I suspected the same.

Meanwhile, I passed him by a couple of meters and he was still smiling.

With due respect, I decelerated the beast and got it to a standstill. He walked swiftly and gently put forth his request.

Ah! Ok, jump on – I shall be more than happy to drop you – exclaimed the happy me.

On our way, I asked him about his Diwali plans to which he was not excited and just replied that we have no option but to be on duty – all the more alert.

I attempted to appreciate him by saying – Since you guys are awake, we are able to sleep well and I mean it. I believe he must have smiled though I couldn’t experience his expression for obvious reason.

However he added which confirmed my assumption – We are happy that we get a little bit of appreciation amid the heap of curse.

I was like – even I curse at times but then yes, I do have an immense respect for your duties that perimeter the amount of risk and bureaucracy involved. He didn’t want to comment but he softly uttered – It’s a part of life.

The statement was appended by – Nice, comfortable bike you have especially for the pillion; a relaxed back support This time he must have missed my chuckle that was behind the helmet and also, not facing his face.

                                                                                                                                                                                    

Happy Diwali, Stay happy and thank you so much – He voiced with a big smile on his face as he got down.

My reply to him was nearly the same as the rubber vroomed through the Thane-Belapur tar and somehow, the smile was maintained until I swiped the card at the entry.

4. Mumbai Weather.

Somebody asked me...

How is Mumbai?

I had to say -

Mumbai is good,
Weather is on a dance,
All three seasons in a day,
Has taken a London stance...

Morning summers make you work,
Rainy evenings are for Romance,
Better to be cosy in wintery nights,
(Why take a Chance!!)
I would surely have taken my chance!!

Last line suggested by Suchit :-)

3. Mokshamala.

Written on occasion of Mokshamala results...

पच्चीस बरस का है यह सफर...

अकेले चल पड़े थे धीरेन 'सर',
मंज़िल दूर, आसान करनी थी डगर,
हमे भी साथ लिया, शुरू हुआ नया सफर,
आज भी उनके स्मरण में झुकता है सर...

बात करें हम, फलश्रुति की अगर,
खत्म नहीं होगी, ज़िन्दगी भर,
इम्तिहान कई थे, आज का था विशेष मगर,
नाम रोशन हुआ, सर किये नए शिखर...

निश्चय पूर्ण मक्कम, और हौसला प्रखर,
बुद्धि का इस्तेमाल, विश्वास में निडर,
अभिनंदन आप तीनो को, हमे है फकर (फक्र),
Very well done, पिंकी, अमी, टीचर...

अर्पण उनके नाम, क्या करें उनका ज़िकर,
है उनका साथ, तो मंज़िल की नहीं फिकर,
बहुत आगे बढ़े हम सब, एक दूसरे का हाथ पकड़कर,
पच्चीस बरस का अब तक है सफर,
मंजिल है अपनी, मोक्ष नगर।

2. बापू और 3 गोलियां.

गांधी के दिल तक कहां गया है इंसान,
वहां तो पहुचीं 3 गोलियां सरेआम..

भले इंसान की इतनी सी पहचान,
भला करना छोड़ दे, तो लोग कहेगे हैवान...

बुराई के खिलाफ लाख लड़ाई करले,
एक गलती उसे बना देगी शैतान...

निःस्वार्थ भाव से लोगो के बारे में सोचने पर भी,
यह तो कोई भी करता, इसमे क्या है इतना महान...

आज के दिन याद करले उसे,
छुट्टी का आखीर मिला है वरदान...

बाकी तो तस्वीरों में झूलते रहेगे बापू,
और जेब मे सदा रहेगा उनका स्थान...

गांधी के दिल तक कहां गया है इंसान,
वहां तो पहुचीं 3 गोलियां सरेआम..

1. Random 4 Liners.

Kho gaya tha bachpan kahin ,
Kitchen me jaake usko paaya hai...
Phir aa gaya hai josh lautke,
Nashte ka dabba haath me aaya hai,
Jhoom uthaa hun main, meri khushi ka thikana nahi,
Aaj phir se maa k haath (pyaar) ka swaad nashte me khaaya hai..

Shadi ka khayaal phir se mann me aaya hai,
Par phir un kambakht yaado ne sataya hai..
Log kehte hai karle shaadi,
Tujhe bhi waise hi karege ,
Jis tarah logo ne hume fasaya hai..

Hanuman ne to sirf raavan ki lanka ko jalaya hai,
Aaj ke har raam me maine ek raavan ko paaya hai,
Sita to dhoondne se bhi nahi mil rahi,
Aaj har dil me keval apna swaarth samaaya hai..

Kalam chal padi, usne khud ek raasta banaya hai,
Likhte hai aise ki samandar ko bahaya hai,
Dost kehte hai weekdays pe tu shaant rehta hai,
Aaj tune itna kyu pakaya hai😀😀😀