Framing the ‘City of Pace’ – Part 1

The city of pace, the city of dreamers, the city of hard laborers, the city of actors, the city of gangsters, the city of stray dogs, the city of exotic birds, the city of artists, the city of servants, the city of fisherfolks, the city of crorepatis and the city of pace!! And, that’s MUMBAI! But, Mumbai is not frantic, but overwhelming. Or at least it doesn’t have to be!

The city has evolved over its own language, Bambaiyya Hindi, which is almost a mix of everything! City is truly the heart and soul of the people. Contrary to what might you think, you may not have almost just died in the taxi, or been rushed by that station crowd or run over that guy with the funny outfit and the monkey. Last weekend, I did something adventurous! Yes, it was, coz I had been to Bombay! Nothing much has changed in Mumbai, in spite the roads getting more engaged. I did the most I can for my 2 day trip in Mumbai. Walking through the streets, in a city of over 20 million people, space is understandably at a premium in Mumbai. For the working class, daily life in Mumbai is commonly played out in what are called chawls — multi-level tenements with single small rooms, which usually accommodate a whole family, often with a shared bathroom for each floor. There’s little privacy but the benefits are a strong sense of camaraderie and support. Tired walking through the streets, stopped at a home in a chawl, was amazed to see the number of the people living in just two room house. Those two rooms again accommodate whole families including grandparents. It’s not uncommon for family members to sleep in the lounge room or even the kitchen. Prices are ridiculously expensive, even more so than New York!​ You’d think that living in such an environment would be very restrictive but it’s surprisingly the opposite (once you get used to the lack of space!).

If you’re bonkers for Bollywood, you’ve come to the right place to experience your 15 minutes of fame. Mumbai is the glittering epicentre of India’s gargantuan Hindi-language film industry, and they’re often looking for Western extras. Every part of India has its regional film industry, but Bollywood continues to entrance the nation with its winning escapist formula of masala entertainment – where all-singing, all-dancing lovers fight and conquer the forces keeping them apart.

Had the most viable view of CSMT (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus), blended with themes deriving from Indian Architecture. Walking through the station, saw thousands of people walking in a hurry to catch local and some walking out of the station to reach their offices on time. Truly, Mumbai deserves the title of ‘city of pace’! Majority of residents in Mumbai don’t own a car. As a result, the train is the most popular and quickest way of commuting in Mumbai. Mumbai’s local railway transports an astonishing eight million commuters per day!

Matching the pace was difficult at times. Unfortunately, everything you’ve heard about local trains in Mumbai is probably true. They are extremely overcrowded, the doors constantly have passengers hanging out of them and never close, and people even travel sitting on the train roof. Do injuries occur? All the time! It’s a common occurrence for passengers to fall out of, or get pushed out of, trains in Mumbai. I asked about this to a daily passenger sitting beside me, was overwhelmed by her answer, “Kisko kya padi he? Eise hi jite hain yaha.”

A unique and fascinating fixture in the daily routine of Mumbai’s office workers is the dabbawala. This incredible system can be witnessed in operation at Churchgate railway station from 11.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m., as the dabbawalas unload the tiffin from the trains and get ready to take them to their customer’s offices.

Stay tuned for part 2! Coming Soon!

 

 

 

 

Living on your terms.

It would be fair to say that we are born to live on our terms.

“They say I shouldn’t yell at my sister. They yell at my sister. They yell at me when they say this. Why is it okay for them to yell, but not me?” And we also notice how adults don’t like it when we are honest. Adults could do what they want us to do, but they could never make us agree. We are the one in charge of that.

Freedom. Liberation. Spaciousness. These are all words to describe “life lived on your own terms”, and in my case, they’ve been the backbone of every good decision I’ve ever made.

Make your soul clear: You need to go-around on your terms.

Many people go through life without purpose or plan. They feel stuck in their jobs, believing that only way to provide their family is to work for long hours. Some people are so overwhelmed by the bills that they have to pay that they have no extra money for the things they truly enjoy.

Others are working jobs that they simply don’t enjoy, feeling unhappy each and every day. Many moms make the decision to stay at home and raise their children, but they don’t feel fulfilled because they aren’t using their professional talents and skills.

It is possible to live a life that you love- a life on your own terms.

And when you live life on your terms, you will be a more fulfilled and happy person. You’re likely to be a much better person. You’ll be able to contribute more to those around you.

And, for this, dream a little. Consider where you are. Talk to others. It starts with knowing what you want your life to look like. See your current situation and what you want and start acting!

You’ll eat food you don’t like. You’ll go along with the family plans, when you really feel like staying home with a book. You’ll burn midnight to meet a deadline and wake up the next day, and do it all again. These wouldn’t be your preferences.

It’s not always doing what you want.

But also, it’s not always doing what others want.

It’s not about rebellion or bucking a trend.

They don’t need to see it.

Only you do; your love will carry you both, its strange and mysterious way.

That’s choice? To love anyway and to align with your own values? That’s the best way of “living on your own terms”, I know.

Upgrade…

As a person, we are always looking to be successful and to boost. Try thinking of yourself as a product and find ways to ‘upgrade’ yourself every year fine even with a week. Remember, the quality of your life is the reflection of your standards. You could make million and still stay poor in your heart. Being poor is not about making less money. Being poor is a mentality. It’s a choice of your life.

Different people have different values. Some may want to succeed in the field of science or some may consider sports as important as living for them. I often remind myself, the world has existed for 4.54 billion years ago and is much older and wiser than us. We have existed for a minor part of timeline and conditions were less than idyllic. So, a Utopian paradise doesn’t exist for us to be happy. If you want to change the reality, start with yourself first and attend to your own personal development. In doing so, problems give way to solutions and no longer affect you.

Author Larry Weidel writes in Serial Winner: 5 Actions to Create your Cycle of Success: “If we all live the richest life possible, its personally fulfilling, but it also changes the world”.

Sometimes things don’t work and then you feel like you should have a control over the circumstances of your life. It requires redesigning your life to suit you or playing God, neither of which is possible. It is futile trying to change conditions out there because life is constantly changing. It is like trying to keep plates spinning on a stick while more plates are added. You cannot keep up, and they will eventually keep adding. But, you have to keep working. This is the key to enlightenment.

Albert Einstein recognized this principle when he said, “We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them”.

You’ve heard it said, you are the sum of the five people you must associate with. Therefore, if 100 people can influence five other people, we have 500 people who are now more self-aware than before. But, the cycle must continue.

It’s an inside-out job.

Improvement doesn’t have to be expensive. For example, what would happen if you picked one topic each year? What if you resolve to read a book a month? What if you rise early and jog? What if you study everyday a little? This is what needs to be started.

Heal yourself first by integrating your shadow self and be mindful of your thoughts leading you down a path of negativity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It gives me contentment!

It was late in the evening in the dusty town, where my relatives live. In what is a narrow and crowded colony, my father was busy chatting with more than a dozen of his friends and neighbors and suddenly, one uncle brought a postal cover.

As it bore my name as the sender, my father opened it anxiously. And, it contained a printed newspaper. Apparently, he could not make it out why I had to post a newspaper to him. But, the written letter inside stated that it carried my first published article.

My father’s happiness knew no bounds. There was a power cut. Having found it difficult to suppress his curiosity and carrying a torch-light,my elated dad read out the article to the gathering. Each listened in rapt attention. Shortly, thereafter, I received a reply, which spoke of the pride and happiness my father felt while reading my first published piece of the article.

Everyday, every time I write, I feel enlivened, enthralled and get spurred on for more challenges. Believe me, I find it difficult to sleep on days that I fail to write at Least a few sentences. Writing makes you immortal. The sentence of Dr.C Narayana Reddy, a great lyricist really struck me. “Rasta Rasta Potanu sira Inkevaraku”, which means I shall continue to write till the ink dries up.

Writing gives you an opportunity not only to express yourself but to know a world hitherto unknown to you. You need not need to be a journalist or an expert to write. Writing is a therapy to fight stresses and traumas. Irrespective of the profession that you are, take some time to relive the days chores by jotting down your feelings and expression. Who knows, these anecdote, when written can make you a celebrated writer.

When I started writing, I never thought other people would read my posts and come to love it. Because what I had in my mind was just to lay down what I know, know what I need to know, and from there see where this is going to lead me.

When I write I feel I am river flowing infinitely towards the open sea; with no obstacles along the way. You know that kind of feeling when the moment you close your laptop you feel certain amount of lightness inside, a sense of fulfillment that say, Aah! I did it!

As I ponder on the word pleasure, writing is the word that comes to my mind.

 

Sipping on a hot chai..

Sometimes, it falls like big fat drops, pummeling the plants like a boxer. Sometimes, it blows in gently, as fine as sieved icing sugar. Sometimes, the wind whips it in sideways streaks across the windows. Sometimes, just sometimes, it stops falling from the sky altogether. Our tiny island is defined by it, our lives and front door discussions revolve around it. We are an island divided by many things but, united by at least one: rain.

There are many things money cannot buy and one of them is the pleasure of a rainy day. It is on such days, that you connect to your inner child once again. Ever wondered why the falling rain can soothe an ailing heart? Well, the steady drumming of falling rain has a profound rhythm, one that you can’t ignore even in your sleep. It can make you cry and vent your sadness; it can make you leap for joy in sheer happiness. That’s rain after all, the sweet tears of heaven.

It is the most awaited season as it brings relief from hot summer. It is the most romantic and beautiful season. Along with rains, monsoon also brings the smell of wet soil, the watery sky and the dance of the rain. And while enjoying this wonderful season, we also need to take care of our health.

Rain catches the fancy of children and adults alike. Some see it as a sign of joy, while for the lonely souls, it spells depression and gloom. Through tears and smiles, the sound of falling rain on a rainy day, is certainly what matters. It is best weather to reminisce some of the memories worth remembering. But, it’s also sarcastic when people say that the love the rain but then they take cover when it starts to pour on them. You just have to feel it, you know? You need to feel the rain and not just too simply get wet.

Rain is word that is often used pejoratively. “Oh, it’s raining again!” we mutter, slinking out of the door for the morning commute. Weather forecasters look sad and with the apologetic shake of their heads inform us about the bad news- more rain. From washed birthday parties to sodden days at the football pitch, some seem to dislike rains.

It’s great to enjoy rains while sipping on hot chai at home, but traveling in the rains is an entirely different ball game. There are also type of people who struggle to crack a smile at the sight of rainfall or want to run back home whenever two drops of water land on their heads. Road trips are the best thing in the monsoons. There’s no better feeling that driving with your windows down, the breeze hitting your face and that delightful sight of dark clouds through your window screen.

Sitting in the balcony, while enjoying the rains and a hot coffee, the rain made me write about itself. After all, “Life is about learning to dance in the rain!”…

Take me to that place…

There’s a place that absorbs all your sorrows, frees you all of your inhibitions and heals you into a better human.

There’s a place that knows nothing but love, it embraces you wholeheartedly and lets you know you are safe.

There’s a place that warms your heart despite its winter and enlightens you with happiness.

There’s a place that has grown in Himalayas, where purity is the key and love is in the air.

There’s a place I know that soothes my soul and keeps me wanting more.

And that place is MOUNTAINS!!!!

So darling, I know mountain is the place where you want to go, to feel, to breathe and to be.

Mountain is the space grandiose that lies ahead of us. Pay attention to the wind that swirls within it, sometimes creating whirlpools and other times, playfully teasing your hair into a dance. Focus on how the sun’s gold drips into all that comes within its reach, wrapping you into its warm embrace and gently becoming a part of you. See how every speck of the soil, conceals within secrets of stories of ages gone by, to slowly enrich the lands with the wisdom they hold. Look how streams below gush through the valley, giving to banks every moment, only to finally surrender itself to the ocean. Just sit in attention and behold the grand narrative that’s written when all the elements merge perfectly like melodies to sing a song to the heavens.

Every time the Mountains Vs Beach debate came up, I would confidently claim to be an ardent mountain lover, sure that nothing could replace the sight snow laden peaks, definitely not humidity and salt in the hair.

We walk along, always in anticipation of the view that awaits us right around the next bend of the road. We put our best foot forward, measuring each step with perfection; we hop, we skip, we jump, constantly in search of the picture-perfect vision that we could call our most special one forever.

Beyond these hills and beneath those trees

Where water gushes into a dance

Let me build a home

And call it mine…

Airline Story!

It was Sunday, 6.15 a.m.! I was traveling. I wondered what to do? Anyways, I took my diary and pen and started to pen down…

For those who travel frequently, the details of each and every trip can become a blur. The day of departure is just like every other, you wake, you’ve already got your bags packed, you look in your check-on bags to make sure you have your travel sleep mask and blanket and finally you head to airport and the journey begins..

There is newlywed couple sitting right behind you doing what they think is ‘whispering’ about what they want to do to each other in their first night of honeymoon.

There is a group of ladies who detest a certain Saraswati who won’t move kitty-party date.

A man punching onto his keyboard, so hard you feel bad for technology.

An air-hostess who has conveniently forgotten to get you water for the fourth time.

A kid who cries every time there is turbulence, and then again when there isn’t.

A certain hairy nosed man who is snoring so loud, the hair is giving his already annoying shores a complimentary whistle.

A middle aged woman in front of you who cannot decide whether to keep the window shades up or down.

An alarm that keeps going off every 20 mins. somewhere in aircraft. Low-key praying it’s an alarm. By the way. (Ahem!)

And a man next to you loudly chewing peanuts and staring into your laptop screen.

You can’t wait to get off the plane only so someone cam ask how your flight was. It’s surprising, how your answer will always be- ‘It was great!’

Everyone has their own experience and unique travel stories.

Frequent flyers know something that occasional travelers like us don’t know; amazing, awesome, wild and crazy things can happen at 25,000 feet in the air. While the act of boarding and traveling on a plane may seem like a fixed experience for us, it certainly isn’t. There are many variables, and every flight, has a different set, creating a wide variety of airline travel stories.

But, whatever it may be, plane ride is a fun experience for each one of us, every time. I’ve always had this love-hate relationship with airplanes. I wish be on one all the time, and the moment I step on it, I am like…Ugh!

You’ll be surprised at how similar men and airplanes can be in many ways! (hmm.)

The night before every plane journey is a mix of excitement, fear, paranoia, prayers and last minute packing.

Excitement- because travel makes me oh so happy at my heart.

Fear-  because what if the plane crashes and what if….and all!

Paranoia- because what is someone steals my belongings from my bag which is locked and securely tucked in the overhead bin.

Prayers- because nobody wants a screaming kid next to them on an airplane. And since nobody wants it, chances are that kid is in seat 17B while I gloat over my window view from seat 17A.

And last minute packing because I am one of those people who trust themselves enough to know, no matter how many days in advance I start packing. I forgot to pack something or the other, so why pretend?

Also, there are many other ways were we try to get used with people on the airport. That yet another failed attempt at trying to get a smile out of security officer who scans your butt in a curtained area, tackling queue-defying aunties with razor-sharp elbows is the next thing on the agenda.

Queues are a great place to judge the character, by the way!

You know exactly whether certain people are worth a smile when you pass them in the aisle on your way to the washroom.

But, after all this,

You’ve seen smiles.

You’ve seen frowns.

You’ve seen kisses.

“You’ve seen LIFE!”

And as much everyone complains about bad food and rude stewards and annoying co-passengers, we still make do, and we would do it again. And again!

I wish we were more like us on earth like we are above.

Versatile Indian Tradition..

I don’t know what made me write about this today, but not only me, everyone is overwhelmed by Indian culture. Last week, I met my sister’s friend who is her soul mate since she lives in Australia for her education. She was here to attend their common friend’s wedding and she was totally overwhelmed by the tradition and culture she saw in the wedding.

Culture is defined as people’s way of life. It also entails how they dress, how they speak, the type of food they eat, the manner in which they worship and their art.

Indian culture is therefore Indian’s way of life. Because of population diversity, there is immense variety in Indian culture. It is a blend of various cultures belonging to diverse religion, castes, regions follow their own tradition and culture.

Indian culture and traditions have now become renowned across the world. It is very diverse and unique. Indian culture is full of several unique customs and traditions, which outsiders find really intriguing. Most of these originate from Ancient Indian life.

Often many practices in Indian culture that we label today as blind superstitions have their logical explanations behind them. Said by Sadhguru, ‘Indian culture is that scientific process towards human liberation and well-being’.

Though, there are many of them, I have mentioned the basic cultures of the Indian tradition.

1. Touching feet of elders : In Sanskrit, called as “Charansparsh” or “Pranama” means bowing combined with touching the feet as a mark of respect. In India, youngsters show respect to their elders by touching their feet daily after waking up, especially on festive occasions or before starting an important work.

2. Namaste : Namaste is one of the most popular Indian customs and isn’t really just restricted to Indian territory anymore. You have Barrack Obama, who has been seen doing it on various occasions or you had Ban-Ki-Moon, the UN Secretary-General greeting with Namaste at Times Square, New York.

But, what’s the significance?

The Namaste or ‘Namaskaram’ is one of the respectful form of greetings in Hindu scriptures, the Vedas.

It translates, “I bow to you” and greeting one another with it is a way of saying, “May your minds meet”, indicated by folded palms placed before chest.

 

 

3. Atithi Devo Bhava : In India, this saying is also integral. It means, “The guest is equivalent to God”. It is a Sanskrit verse taken from Hindu scriptures. They greet their guest with respect and utmost care. Recently, it has also become the tag line of India’s Ministry of Tourism’s Campaign.

4. Festive Season : The wide variety of festivals celebrated in India is a true   manifestation of its rich culture and traditions. There are a large number of festivals, mainly because of prevalence of diverse religions and groups.

The Muslims celebrate Eid, the Christians celebrate Christmas, Good Friday and so on, the Sikhs have Baisakhi, the Hindus have Diwali, Holi, Makar Sankrant, Jains have Mahavir Jayanti and quite honestly, the list is endless. All of these translate to holidays in our book, of course.

5. Indian Ethnic Wear :Indian women are often seen sporting “Sarees”. This sari is a single cloth and needs no stitching, it is easy to make and comfortable to wear and also adheres to religious etiquette. It started out as Hindu traditions, but has very elegantly spread across all religions.

It consists of drape varying from five to nine yards. The same applies functional “Kurta-Payjama” and ceremonial wear “Sherwani” for Indian men of all religions.

6. Temples : A temple is a symbolic house, seat and body of god.

The symbolism and structure of Hindu temple are rooted in Vedic traditions, deploying circles and squares. A temple incorporates all elements of Hindu cosmos – presenting the good, the evil and the human.

Most temples are located along magnetic wave lines of earth, which help maximizing the available positive energy.

The copper plate (Garbagriha or Moolastan) buried under the main idol absorbs and resonates this energy to surroundings.

7. Joint Family : Also, in India there exists the concept of Joint Family, wherein the entire family (parents, wife, children and in some cases relatives) all live together. This is mostly because of cohesive nature of Indian Society and also reportedly helps in handling pressure and stress.

 

 

 

She..

Did you ever thank your mom for cleaning up your room? Did you ever thank your wife for doing your laundry? If not, then this is the time. This International Women’s Day, take the opportunity to salute these unsung homemakers and celebrate their day long efforts to keep everybody happy.

The International Women’s Day traces its roots to back to March 8th, 1908, when 15,000 women marched through the streets of New York standing up for their rights.

Today’s moms at home are known by various names such ‘stay-at-home mom’, ‘domestic engineer’ and above all a ‘homemaker’.

Homemaking is the deliberate cultivation of beauty and productivity in family relationships. It is about celebrating each other, caring for each other, as well as for your friends and extended families and even the occasional strangers.

Anyone can keep a house. Not everyone bothers to make it a home!

It is said that,“A wise woman builds her house!”. I recently read an article about women living developing world that said, “When a women is given an option to change her life, she invests 90% back into her family. As a result, she and her family prosper breaking out of the cycle of poverty. She then looks outward to her community, growing as a leader, lifting the quality of life for her neighbors and inspiring others to join her movement to do the same”.

90%! What does giving 90% mean for a woman in the developing world? It means walking hours everyday to bring safe drinking water home to her family. And often it means skipping meals so her children can eat.

And yet….

Women are amazing because they never quit.

Today, on IWD, look into the faces of women who give 90% to those they love. Women who choose wisdom, who are building their houses up and leaving poverty behind.

And as you do, please take a moment to pray for the countless faceless women around the world who need to know that poverty does not have to be forever.

Most of the time, women at home spend their lives tending for others and often put their plans on the back burner to accommodate family plans. On this special day, the least you can do is plan a small get-together/trip for your lady love. All you need to do is to get in touch with her favorite girls and send them off for few hours of absolute bliss!

 

Chuck lists, live the moment!

We’ve all heard of the saying, “Stop and smell the roses”, but when was the last time you did that? When was the last time you were ‘living the moment’? Don’t feel bad if you don’t remember. It’s a simple gift that we tend to overlook.

Surrounded by options and armed with bucket lists, we whirr around in a frenzy trying to tick off everything as we go along. Caught up in the fever of completing all the tasks we set ourselves, we forget to stay in moment and actually everything we have listed-as a unique experience.

If you remember a soulful moment in Yeh Jawani Hain Deewani make this point well. As Deepika sits on the edge of the fort lost in the beauty of scenery, Ranbir tries to hurry her up lest they miss the sound and light show. He proudly displays a ‘To-do’ list and declares his plan to complete it all in one day. Deepika calmly takes the list from him and throwing it to wind says, “I’m sure the show will be fantastic, but if we go for that we will miss this fantastic sunset. “Kitna bhi try karlo Bunny, life mein kuch na kuch toh chhut hi jata hai. Isliye jaha hai wahi ka maja lete hai.”

The moment we drop the planning, the goal, we are living in here and now. Planning is always in the future. The blissfulness, the feeling of godliness is always in the present. Even, enlightenment is in present, because enlightenment is not the goal.

Our past is overburdened with memories and future is loaded with imagination. Although, we are living this moment, our mind is constantly creating a world of its own-a castle of dreams for the future, and in process, the beautiful present slips away.

Do you wait for calendar events to celebrate-birthdays, anniversaries, festivals or the new year?

But, why wait for someone else to start the party when you can have a celebration of you own every day. A celebration that does not involve hours of planning, your dress and hairdo.

Celebrate your own special moments every day. And there are so many of them!

Do not wait for big achievements-they are few and far between; it is smaller moments and achievements, the everyday little, happy things that we should embrace and make the most of it.

And then there are the moments that mark the milestones of your journey towards your life purpose. They must be celebrated! It is important to understand the things that give you happiness and make you feel worthwhile. Pause, think over, enjoy and enshrine within you.

So, pause, stay with the moment-do a jig, smile towards the heavens, say a prayer, share it with a loved one, or just indulge yourself with a bite of a favorite food!