Reshmi 's memoirs jotted as events- to be refreshed by the writer if required

(I would like to be discreet about names in the interests of their privacy. Hence names are not mentioned.) It is not necessary to be over indulgent with readers by discussing personal life and even worse talking about celebrities with whom one has memories linked.  It was a gruelling experience with my husband and my son at Mumbai airport on our way to Bangalore. It was a cold night in December, the flight delayed by 90 minutes. A trolley stacked with with bags, alert about announcements, husband gauging the distance between the boarding desk and the wash room, my son rambling around as if he was at a wedding reception. There I notice a VIP with an entourage, be in Royal Blue tuxedo, free-to-share a toothy smile. Wow, it was Govinda - a top star then. Haste and collision are pals - result: my son collides with an old lady.......she stares and mutters (could have been a shriek if on the road). Celebritydom an imposed status There have been many such instances but it would be...

The compulsive drinker of coffee does assimilate quite a good percentage of rancour. Especially if one is exposed to hostile weather conditions the caffeine content does induce a 'deviant' kick which to some is soothing to the 'other' some motivates to work (exercises muscles). There is no obvious stimulant for the brain as is imagined by some experts. Honestly the three distinct types of coffee drinkers are either dull or over-excited. Type A > Keeps prodding or plodding over a familiar work with rigour Type B > Loves to smile and gush with idle chat with stunning expressions Type C > a 'Zombie' who attains a morose look but likes the rumble in the tummy Do I like the drink? Since college days to my early years of marriage, coffee always stood out as a better option to other drinks. Well, tea, soft drinks, cocktails, mocktails etc were never so alluring. Hard drinks were avoided for the simple reason that they entail beastliness that i...

Those were the days of internship with a prominent daily in Mumbai. It still is, as charted by popular standards.It would be wise to avoid names but then they respected some principles of life. Journalists formed lobbies in the corridors of power backed by money bags. We (interns) were so naive to discern money bags and chamchas (lobbyists). The umpteen pressers attended were low profile or insignficant and that whether the reports would see the next day's sunrise. But then these reports most of the time were buried or shelved. Sad no coffins were needed.Once I had the fortune to attend a presser called by the then CM at his conference room. He rolled his eyes to see a young lady like me with a notepad and eagerly waiting to put in a question in Marathi. Of course my senior reporter introduced me to him .....'Intern aahay'.  Then the CM says Hmm and proceeds with his utterances quickly. A man of few words / sentences. Reporters all alert with ears pricked. On his way out...

There is nothing innately wrong when one appears to be 'grave' looking but one is not. It all depends on the company you keep. I feel deeply indebted to two of my friends at college - Shyamala and Mandira. The former, a born joker, blessed with big, bulging, roving eyes. Of course, that never let her be wayward. She was a good student, less noisy, never giggled but left us giggling and somersaulting (mentally) with laughter. How can you somersault in a crowded local train in Mumbai - impossible! Mimick specialist Shyamala was a keen observer in class and in trains - as these two were venues for us to be together. She mimicked all our professors and delightfully walked out of the class as she was a perpetual disturbance in the class. In the train it was not possible to shut her out of the compartment as trains are too crowded and always moving. Once she mimicked a perpetual 'sneezer' for which she had to pay a heavy price. The 'sneezer' happened to be a tick...

Vajreshwari (Ganeshpuri) used to be one of the hotspots chosen by cousins as a picnic spot.The place known for its ashram and hot springs was a crowd puller from nearby towns and villages.But to think of it today adds a 'squirm' in the spine and goosebumps. Being much younger to the cousins.the up and down drive and the bathing at the hot springs still linger in my memory. The cousins who led us were more prone to dating there and we kids hardly felt that 'dating' was forbidden. Then one day a boy and girl were found smooching behind the wall that protected the pooja room of the Swamiji. The young couple was admonished and supported (?) for the bold act. Few hours in the lock-up The couple ----close friends of a cousin went hiding throughout the stay. We kids got panicky. Then, all of a sudden we few kids with an elderly man went in search of a police station. The station was manned by a cop (constable) whose tobacco-chewing outsmarted his listening skills. Ult...

Well, if you are imagining that this piece deals with only politics - then 'No'. 'Clout' dates back to the primeval times even before Darwin was born. Earth was just conceiving for millions of years and then was born the first organism which was 'innately' built with a driving force to survive. That living organism evolved to become forests and primeval animals.All things 'refined' pop up late. Then came MAN, looking like a grizzly bear who hunted for 'food' and 'mate'. Life blessed to perish Any organism can be termed a colony of atoms upgraded to molecules then to matter and shape. The last feature depends on terrain and food. Then comes the urge to look for similar creatures. Thus they formed a group. Now groups wished to distinguish themselves with a 'colour', 'attire' and 'mannerism'. If one group (oldest) wished to be an outstanding CLOUT becomes a privileged facilitator to reach the core group. Swatti...

I am lying if I say I am not exactly a newspaper freak but headlines these days are freaked out. Some are so categorical that if they refer to politicians or political parties they just astound to the extent eyes ogle out or ears grow out of proportion that's obviously bad even for a caricature.  "For women more degrees mean less pay" means women should shun education or women are underpaid? "......hoopster..........jewellery con means basketball leads to conning or vice versa? "......6 killed in factory fire" sounds better than placing "Factory fire kills 6.  "Election forecast - AAP plays spoilsport for Cong & BJP" Cutting costs make a sports reporter a political expert. When were Congress or BJP on the 'high five" list to be 'bulldozed' by a popular party. As a matter of fact all three are quizzically placed now in Delhi. Those three strong women are alive and kicking   Woman 'A'  well past her...

As an observer I can distinguish a male worker from a female worker be it farm labour, a teacher, a lawyer, a journalist, a doctor or anybody performing a task that demands mental or physical focus. Without prejudice, one can notice that the male psyche is more egoistic than the female. Women are more often down-to-earth and realistic. Flights of fantasy occur only when they turn writers. Generally these flights are subjective for males but females analyse their surroundings in a more earthy manner and indulge in a trail of thought that fructify in words.  Not going into the nitty-gritty of 'writing' talent, as a teacher I have often tested students in framing better sentences by motivating their imagination.  Boys often tread on those paths which define topics that one can realistically imagine but girls do meander over places and talk about people who most often don't exist. Unfortunately  this does not apply to me as I am in public domain when I write for my blog. S...

Onions: Peeling onions for the Indian woman over the last week till date has been more than a tear-jerker. Navratras embody a fervent devotion to the Goddess by sacrificing food and the onion with its patent products. How much more can a woman sacrifice especially if the fasting period succeeds sacrificing money to buy onions. Tear ducts are meant to vent emotions, now emotions have become money-worthy so sob sob (not the abuse) Alas  where is the money that can fetch onions easily? A conjecture at this point: limit onion production (farming) only to Nashik is a sickly thought. Peels of onion instead of filling the garbage bin will now be strewn on the dining table to make food edible with aroma. Diwali gifts can be substituted with onion for'dry fruits'and 'sweets'. Marriage season can demand a ransom of onions for marriage feasts. Oh the 'stinking' onion was never revered so much. Slavery: Slavery was recently highlighted by a foreign (American) agenc...

Meanwhile, I was in a place of clouds. Big, puffy, pink - white ones that showed up sharply against the deep blue sky.... -Proof of Heaven: Eben Alexander  The book has a very imaginative and realistic style. Well, how paradoxical if some phrases / sentences looked both imaginative and realistic. A real life story which is intense and engrossing.A neuro-surgeon's journey through near death and back to life. Right now, I am shuttling two between books, one mentioned above, the other Catcher in the Rye - by JDS.  Typically American where adventure is interspersed with reality. This is also a book with intense thoughts and  sails through the author's life. The beauty is that this is the author's only book and he won much acclaim late in life,more so through a film made on him recently. How JDS' life unfolds mysteriously for readers a complexity of emotions that left him a loner. My words do not intend even remotely offer PR for the authors. I am too mean a being ...

The need to call for help from Kinshuk does sound strange but I feel he is there to help all those who need it. See not the disallowed (banned or branded for Kinshuk) such was the advice given to most of my students. If there was a mouse hiding somewhere in the house, all that was needed was to call Kinshuk. The mouse could never get easy entry into my house and if it did, Kinshuk would chase it away in a bizarre manner. Many a time I have told my students who came home (for tuitions, yaar), to bear with my ire and exasperation on noticing a mouse.There goes a shrill call to Kinshuk and he rushes to help me find the mouse and chase it away. I hate traps as my heart misses a beat to see a trapped rat. Poison (venomous potion) is not the right way to ensnare a mouse but I am fond of 'Poison' (a pleasant perfume). Well, the highly enterprising Kinshuk 'not exactly a pied piper', but keeps whistling till he holds the mouse by the tail, then humming his favourite song,...

The action cannot be linked with cricket here because I hardly follow the game.The batting genius dropped in at the studio to wish the veteran actor, Big B--yes the man(Amitabh) does work hard and in a disciplined manner at his age.This is a quality for all youngsters to admire and emulate.So Sachin has not achieved much according to me, he should now live as a vibrant example of courage and perseverance.The monetary donations and photo sessions will not yield acclaim till you learn to live for others. There are quite a few persons who live for others through their profession by linking with NGOs, most of the time they do not get noticed.Like when a shoal of fish gets tossed ashore each fish is desperate to live,but be like The Boy who throws each living fish back into the sea so that they can live (read this @ The Week).The 'giver' has to be gutsy and strive to succeed.The world is ruled by protectors and destroyers, every minute the tiniest creature strives to breathe.Surv...

A fledgling party like AAP does not qualify for political discourse or debate as opined by a columnist.Hate to name him as that will barter mutual rage or insinuation. But he writes for a prominent paper. Probably he has read my blog as is evident.When I spoke of the 'Mango man' it referred to the kith of a prominent leader not Arvind Kejriwal.The 'halo' does not refer to the latter. Coming to the point the AAP has not evolved into a gargantuan size for the fact that they are being nudged and jostled by bigger parties to get noticed.Show Biz thrives in a city like Delhi.That reminds me of the recently released film 'Satyagraha' did not make a mark as expected because the director of this good film has a low profile in Delhi. I do remember his fledgling days in film making when he made documentary films for FD (Films Division).This body educates the audience about India and the world just before an entertaining film is shown.Today the FD is non-existent. Sho...

How can one connect rotation of the earth to a whirl of thoughts that influence human beings through the media. Almost a year ago, some disruptive, cognitive and benevolent elements of the society babbled about the common man....the momentum picked up - some lauding, some criticising (snooty ones), all because they stumbled upon the commonman - the aam aadmi . Gradually we re getting aware of the 'corrupt' virus stinging our lives. How our politicians can hear the cock crow about the 'sin' called corruption. Our polity is draped in this multi-layered garment of corruption. Even 'Duryodhan' may be harrowed with his job (with due reverence to Sr Krishna and the Pandavas).  I am wondering how much 'halo' (periphery) he (that man) would have acquired for calling the Aam Aadmi the Mango Man of a Banana Republic. Especially when a top politician is inclining towards pleasing the common man. 

Travails of a photographer,cannot be undermined,he who puts his heart,soul and a pair of blessed eyes to slog day in and day out.His assignments ranged from humans to nature.He felt he was the chosen one for all our exhibitions which called for minute details about fabric,grace and the best faces.Recent news about him was the onset of glaucoma that struck Jay and has rendered him jobless and neglected.A benevolent businessman from Gujarat has offered him monetary help with an apprentice to wield his camera.Quite strange the sightless can usher in a career so late in life for a job that requires an eye for aesthtetics.Behold that eye which navigates on the spoken word from the mind's eye.I salute Jay.You are remembered always when I see model posing to be framed as the best face.

May the political climate thrive on those who wish to stand out, be controversial, blessed with only audible articulation.What I mean is to be loud to the extent of playing to the gallery.We are only a few months away from the next General Elections but those that seem to yak and wish to be noticed and no laurels to adorn their heads.I refuse to call achievements 'feathers' due to their innate property of being light. In this cacophony do we hear a sane voice? People must learn not to be led astray by promises of politicians but look for some uniformity in presentation and at least a small percentage of credibility. Today the country's voters stand grossly divided by two major political parties .The smaller parties merely look like accessories whose nods look more like neurotic jerks.When will there be a change in the psyche of  a voter to seek a representative of the masses who will agree more and defy less.The term 'agree' does not mean compromise but to be in ...

Guess what..Kannan was all bubbling with excitement ,his marital life took off well.On a mission from Kovai his new address, apparently a doting husband,his businees trip to Mumbai was also reason enough to catch up with old buddies.Then like all happy circumstances that engulf the newly wedded couple they were blessed with a baby.Kannan & his wife Nandhini (the N in the piece)lived happily in bliss.Then came the hand of Providence that hit Kannan hard on that ominous day when a bomb blast rocked Kovai. He lost his wife but the baby was saved by an aunt.A shattered Kannan shifted base to Trichy but his samaritan side glowed in every action .He started a home for the destitute women in Kovai.Met him a few years ago,looked content with his daughter who was named after me.Why nobody asked but he does remember to wish me on all festivals so there was a soul and there is one- soul who is still lonely but content. 

Those were the last words from an ex-colleague,an endearing personality who did not look handsome but was refined ,a good listener..Kannan was his name.If at all there was something despicable in his appearance...his ever erupting pimples and well-oiled hair.He kept towing my footsteps during lunch time or sometimes barged into any restaurant where he knew he would find me in the company of my friends or even when with my husband.But my husband never felt offended.Kannan was like a lost soul in a big city like Mumbai.Then one fine day......latter half..looked morose and handed a piece of paper, a copy of his resignation letter."I'm leaving Reshmi.."Tears welled up his eyes."Oh So where do you go" I quipped. "to Trichy... to marry & work for my to-be-wife's father in his supermarket".I was quite overjoyed to hear that but Kannan didn't seem excited.He left after we in the office gave him a farewell party.Three months later Kannan returned t...

Life is in total disarray. So many people deal with different situations but the idea is to convey your thoughts to a few who can gauge the meaning of your words.