Why would anyone bet money on Akash Chopra ? Sorry AC ! You are neither flashy nor flamboyant like your friend Veeru ! You bore people to death by playing out time. I agree you have patience unlimited to bear tantrums of the pitch and nautanki of the ball [cricket ball]. You do the donkey's work.... digging in over after over and grinding it all over and being there for your mate. Still no one bets on you ! They need an entertainer macha ! Someone who can sweep them of their feet making it an exciting affair. A la Afridi or Sehwag.

Learn to be charming and 'play' the game dude ;) Well... don't be too dejected. This blogger, I forgot to tell you, very much relates to you.

Sometimes :|

Classroom Comedy

3rd year, second semester as far as I remember in Machine Design class. On that fateful day, Abhi and me sat on first bench. Our 'like-like' maashtaru (Teacher in English...) was in full flow explaining machine parts. He had a peculiar style. For one part - Helical Groove, he spelt it "elkal groove..." (Elakalu means Rats in Telugu), a reason enough for what was to follow. Using the word 'like' atleast twice in every line earned him a nickname : Like-Like. His typical cartoon'ish expressions added to the comedy.

So, first bench : Abhi and me. For starters, it's ridiculously easy to make me laugh ! More so when it's all pin drop silence. Abhi exploited this weakness and started giggling. We looked here and there trying to distract and hold ourselves. I made funny faces while biting my lips. Like some fission reaction, it kept growing second by second... minute by minute. The weight of the situation forced poor Abhi to hang his head down, face the floor and laugh. Shoulders and arms comically vibrating in tandem confirmed he couldn't control it.

Nothing like holding a million bar pressure of uncontrollable laughter in front of a teacher. Agree ? ;)

As for me, my lips weren't fool proof either to stop it from leaking. All this annoyed Like-Like who threw the duster at Abhi. It shocked us but we continued giggling.

Don't blame me !! It is adding fuel to fire if one treats an undergrad like a grade-5 kid... throwing dusters and chalk pieces in such a situation. Lolll !!

"Go there and stand..." , he yelled.

Abhi stood near the left window, opposite to our class entrance. Like a Natwarlaal, I was busy hanging my head down now.

Turning to me, he shouted... " meeru... lechi vellandi...." ( you ! get up and go there !....)

I stood next to Abhi whose expression read, "god ! no more!". We giggled again.

I covered my face while he disappeared unable to control himself. I panned around to see him standing in the end behind me. Classmates with semi-laughing faces confirmed their thorough enjoyment.

I shamelessly grinned as if to declare : "mission accomplished !", and joined Abhi. Few more giggles followed.

Later, our Like-Like laughed too while noting down attendance... 'coz I smiled freakishly when my number was called. My class burst out now :))

"Don't do it again", he warned jokingly. Some memorable fun time and a happy ending.

Bava ( alias Abhi ) and me still can't get over it. Been some crazy six years or so to date, but we still laugh our asses off !

It is of utmost importance to be secretive and may be mysterious, and not reveal everything about yourself. People are like fishes- once fed to their heart's content, they forget and move on. Once they realize you are no more fun and exciting, you become a liability. Like a worthless constant in a differential equation. Love and sentimentality get diluted and romance fizzles out. You are taken for granted and there is no more caring.

You are suddenly equivalent to a dragging, insipid, predictable Ekta Kapoor's production house soap . It can be soul destroying sometimes to realize you are no more a priority but a mere option and also that you have been dethroned from a position of importance in their lives.

But that's the way it is in every walk of life.... you are good as long as you are a surprise and succeed in keeping people entertained ! Heh ! reminds me of my television watching days when a channel's TRP was at the mercy of my mood swings and fingertips.

When expectations start rocketing, boundaries start fading, limits exceeding and jealousy clouds deep love...... you question every intent and answers do not make you content. You demand more than your share, thinking its fine and fair. You forget every rule and behave like a fool. You start speaking logic and love loses it's magic....heart does not follow the mind and you have turned completely blind.

Talking about possessiveness, it is definitely a side effect of loving too much and .....
Period.

( pic courtesy: some random profile on orkut)

As far as the archives take us till near the birth of mankind, women have been the traditional torchbearers of our society. They have always lead us by example. Woman...the cause for our very existence. They are the backbone of our society, constantly anchoring and maneuvering it. Morals, rules, etiquette, schematic, frame work and its strong foundations have been laid by them.

From Savitris of the silver screen who epitomised the aadarsh naari to the new Rakhi Sawanths of today who bring utter disgust and make us feel sorry, there has been a metamorphic change thereby ruining the whole celebration; tampering and distorting their image by a considerable quotient. Does it mean to say we no longer respect or honour them ? No, we do ! But conditions apply. It's no more good ol' times.

Internet and social networking have erased a social barrier which has benefitted our society. But on the flip side, have done more damage. Today, people are ready to explore. More so, women. They are no more the strong characters like our previous generations. They are now "open" to everything blaming the bloody society and their pressure cooker situation for this change. This is only a tip of the ice berg. Plenty other things exist which we are not aware of. Even if we are, let's pretend we are not ! For good.

You talk about male chauvinism, eh ? What answers do today's naari have, to justify themselves ? Why blame only men for atrocities and misdoings ? Women have cooly over taken men in many negative aspects.

A friend of mine pointed I do not respect the fairer sex. For one, I do immensly. But not those who puncture all my good notions. Where from can I afford to ? Can you tolerate an unholy man ? Ditto !

A great deal of responsibility lies with them (including those who are committed), as few morals are being compromised. A lot of cultural shift has already taken place. It will only drift further, I fear. Raging tempers and uncompromising attitudes are being adopted and adhered to. Bloated egos are a common. Flirting shamelessly is quite normal. A chill runs down my spine thinking if in future my friends or me will ever get a dignified lady to share the rest of our lives with. More importantly a dignified lady with a respectable past !! Will my lady be worthy enough for me to take utmost pride in ? I can't say ! I am not sure !

It is beyond imagination how the future generations will behave. The sub-continent is good at aping and adopting the western culture. Woman's chastity is at stake. From where do they restart then ? Well, why not glance at our glorious past ? Take a leaf out from our previous generations - our parents and grandparents. Haven't they lead meaningful lives by being in their limits ? Didn't they have fun ? Haven't their husbands taken utmost pride in them ?

A strong woman not only leads our society by example but also repairs the egoistic man into one who respects and takes immense pride in whom he is associated with. Our previous generations have done it. We can too !

In the Ramayana, Lakshmana says:
Pita yasya shoochirbuto mata yasya pativrata
Oobhabhyamewa sambhutaha tasya no chalate manaha.

Meaning: "His mind will not be deflected, who is brought up by a father who is pure and a mother who is a Pativrata. "

We are not demanding Pativratas. All we want back is the glorious woman of the past. Is it asking more ?

War is cruel..... doesn't a soldier know it ?

Egos chain us..... the humble know it !

Society is unforgiving.....doesn't a culprit know it ?

Society is ruthless.....a victim feels it !

A word of caution... does your enemy announce it ?

A word of wisdom..... your friend shares it !

Chaos and confusion..... why can't people avoid it ?

Silence is a necessity..... the wise understand it !

Patience is vital.... do you have it ?

Perseverance is a virtue ..... the successful possess it !

Young are foolish..... don't the old know it ?

Old is gold ..... the young don't know it !

You are a hungry donkey..... doesn't mamma say it ?

You are an innocent monkey..... papa knows it ! ;)

To smile often..... why can't we do it ?

Sharing is a way.....children show it !

Art brings joy.....do the leaden know it ?

Pain co-exists..... this poet goes through it !

Together we were beautiful..... did we know it ?

We were made for each other..... they always said it ! :)

Heart break is painful.... who doesn't know it ?

Broken pieces can't be joined.... I learned it !

I long to see you.... can I ever make it ?

I want to kiss you.... how do I say it ?

I miss your beautiful smile..... when will I see it ?

I love you from the bottom of my heart... WHEN WILL YOU KNOW IT !

You were a very sweet friend I ever had, Thais. You were an angel. No one can replace you. You were beautiful. My heart is burdened with grief and eyes don't stop to swell in tears at the thought that you are no more. Your last mail...ironically speaks about life. I promise you and make sure I lead it the way your mail has asked me to. That's the little thing I can and wish to do for you.

Words cannot express my grief. Where ever you are I will remember you till my last. You are special. I miss you and love you very much !

May your soul rest in peace !

ThaiZinha Coli Somadossi
26th Nov 1987 - 9th July 2009