good bye

They say it's hard to say hello, 
I feel I can't say good bye.

I don't know when I will get to see you again,
but I know I have so many things to tell you

Still, I just leave. 
I just leave feeling confused, 
why I didn't say how much I am going to miss you

Why I didn't say, how nice it is to be with you.
Why I didn't say, that I don't want to leave,
and kept hoping that you will ask me to stay

The last memories of me you will have will be of our parting,
but did I make it something you can cherish?

In the rush of planning the next moment how I miss to live the now.
I could have said this, done that, is the only repent which stays

Hellos are important and so are goodbyes
Make your Hello cheerful and good bye warm.

Because from where we end, from there we start again!

Budget Gifting Ideas for Diwali

Diwali is that time of year when we do lots of parting. Our friends, family, colleagues everyone seems to be playing a perfect host that time. And going for the Diwali party is equality costly as hosting one, because we cannot go for the party empty hand “Ek Gift thobanthahai boss!!” J Otherwise also Diwali being the biggest festival of India, we are following this tradition of exchanging gifts on Diwali from forever.  I am personally not a big fan of gifting sweets, as that is the most common thing every one gives to each other on Diwali. During Diwali we all have our fridge loaded with sweets, and most of that sweet either goes to the house help or goes as return gift with someone. So when our gift is not even getting used by the person it was given to then why not give something better and different, that the giftee can really use. In today’s time when even a Kg of Kajukatli costs more than 750Rs/-   we still have some nice gits available which are unique and well within in our budget. So here I am sharing with you all some great budget gifting ideas for the festive season, which I feel is very festival appropriate for my friends and family.

I found that most of these items are also available online on very reasonable rates. And yes, whenever I do online shopping I always look for discount coupons, as a result I also found the Diwali deals on cuponation which are very tempting J So let’s get started with my budget gifting idea list for Diwali.

 

 

Candle holder: it is a very Diwali appropriate gift. For lighting the candles inside home using candle holder makes it safer and more beautiful to look at. One can easily find then anywhere between 150 to 700Rs/-

 

Decorative Bowls and Trays: During festive parties serving chocolates or dry-fruits to guests in decorative bowls will look very stunning. I found some great pieces online which can be a conversation starter  too J

 

Oil Diffuser: Now when people are leading such busy life aroma therapy is becoming more popular day by day. Using Oil diffuser at home will not only make the home smell wonderful but will also do wonders to your mood.

 Figurines: Spiritual idols make a very good gift for festivals. So this Diwali give these beautiful Figurines to your loved ones. It will look equally good in the Puja room as well as in the living area.

 

Playing Cards: Card parties are a must during Diwali, playing cards on Diwali eve is also a ritual in many parts of India. Here are some of the playing cards which can be used for playing as well as a showpiece.

Wall Art and Painting: Diwali is the time when everyone cleans and decorates their home and getting a piece of art to beautify the walls will increase the beauty of the house even more. This turns out to be a very good and pocket friendly gift, something that the giftee will cherish for very long J

 

Bar Accessories: People who love their drink will also love to get some bar accessories as gift. But remember not to drives back home if you drink in the party.

Fashion Jewellery: Thinking about how to please your wife or girlfriend when gold rates are touching sky this Diwali, then worry not fashion Jewelleries are here for rescue you. They will be light on your pocket but will bring big smile on your lady’s face J

 

All these gifts are budget products and something which are unique. I hope this list helped you all to come out of your “what to gift Confusion” festival syndrome. Still if you want to save some more this festive season then as I mentioned before don’t forget to check the Diwali discounts going on Cuponation if you are shopping online, because using discount coupons is the smartest way to shop online ;).

I am sure with all this awesome offers and great gifting ideas this Diwali will be more glittering and fun for us and our loved ones. They will be happy to get amazing gifts and we will be happy for being the reason behind the smile on their face.

 

 

दुआ सलाम

आज  फिर याद आये तुम, आखो में नमी लाये तुम ....
आज फिर याद आई तुम्हारी बातें, वो बेचैन सुबहें और लम्बी राते।

वो तुम्हारी शैतानिय, वो किस्से वो कहानिया ....
वो झूठमुठ का तुम्हारा गुस्सा और सचमुच का प्यार।
बेफिजूल की वो बाते और छोटी बातो पर तकरार।
वो तुम्हारा रूठना, वो मेरा मनाना ....
ये आखरी बार हैं कहना और फिर वही दुहराना।

सब याद आया, आखों में नमी लाया।
भरी हैं मेरी आखे पर होठो पर हैं मुस्कान,
ये आसू गम के हैं या ख़ुशी के सोच कर हूँ मैं परेशान।

खैर छोड़ो ये सारी बाते, तुम अपना रखना ध्यान ....
खुशियों का घर बनाना हँसी का हाथ थाम।

जिंदगी ना रुकी है ना रुकेगी कभी, लॊग आयेगे - जायेगे ये चलेगी युहीं।

हो सके तो करना हम पर ईतना ऎह्सान ....
जब भी टकराए हमारी रहे, मुस्कुरा कर करना दुआ सलाम।

Beware you backstabber!!

Today morning someone’s attitude moved me badly, I felt that I have been backstabbed. I didn’t knew whom I should share this with, as I don’t want to prolong this topic. However I thought of dealing with the situation maturely. And matured ways always emphasize on communication, I too believe that communication is the key in any relationship be it marriage, parenting or friendship. There is no issue in this world that cannot be resolved if discussed by both parties with open heart and mind. However if any of this is missing then this communication will turn into an argument and situation can go worse.

From last 6 years I am living away from my family, and friends are only my second family here. I am not very quick in making friends, but when I make I try to keep them for lifetime. With friends we feel comfortable, we consider them as our siblings and we feel that we can share things with them which we cannot with our family. Sometimes it can be a secret or sometimes it can be general talk, but every time I am pouring my heart out in front of them. I don’t think I need to specify it to them every time that Please don’t share this with others, a friend should be able to understand the intensity of the matter and decided on their own about sharing what I shared about me with them.

 I have this habit of not sharing one friend’s secrets with another, whether he/she specified it to be a secret or not. I don’t like to be a communication channel between two people, all my friends are grown enough to face each other and talk on their own. If you feel sharing what friend A talked to you with friend B is not making you a backstabber then I think you are wrong. By dictionary backstabbing means “The action or practice of criticizing someone in a treacherous manner while feigning friendship”. I shared my feeling with you or my plans with you and you went and told the same to someone else because I did not mention that “please don’t tell anyone” in the beginning of the conversation. May be I did not wanted that person to know this or I wanted to tell them later on my own, in any case you have been unfaithful to me while being my friend, so you backstabbed me.

I know, most you may feel that friends can talk and sortout such small things. I agree to it 100%, but only till it happens for the first time. When it happens several times then I feel there is no use to talk to such people and I prefer maintaining distance from them.

Someone may say “Oh that happened by mistake. He/she is very good at heart but little absent minded or he/she has childish nature” then I am not interested in being friends with absent minded or childish people. I would prefer saying goodbye than being a source of juicy topics for them.

And you the Backstabber stop this attitude of yours. Because I am leaving you without saying a word, but may be someone else will bring life out of you for doing the same with them.

Two Minutes

This post has been published by me as a part of the Blog-a-Ton 29; the 29th Edition of the online marathon of Bloggers; where we decide and we write. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton. The topic for this month is 'TWO MINUTES'.

“Ok guys, I should leave now.” Samir got up from his place. Rohan stood to stop him “Wait buddy, don’t be a spoilsport.”. Samir picketed up his bag “I am sorry guys but, I promised my mom that I will be home by 10 pm. Dad is also out of station, you know.” He tried to explain. “Chill dude, its just 8.30 now.” Vinit showed him the watch. “But after 9.30 I won’t get any bus guys, that is why I have to leave now.” Samir tried explaining. “Ok Samir, chill. I will drop you home, I got dad’s car with me. Now you can stay right?”Rohan interrupted. Samir shook his hand in air and sat back.

It was Vinit’s treat for getting 89% marks in pre boards of 10+2. He was an average student, but Samir took the responsibility of helping his friend through his preparation for exam and the end result was amazing. Vinit’s mom dad was out of station so these friends planned a party to celebrate the occasion. 

They were in between their usual conversation when the doorbell rang, it was Himanshu. “Hi guys what’s up?” He hugged Rohan and Samir. “I knew you guys must me having a boring party without me. See what I got for you.” Himanshu opened his bag to bring out the vodka bottles. “Wow, First time I am holding a vodka bottle in my hand” Rohan took a bottle. “Guys, we were here to have fun not boozing.”Samir objected. Himanshu tapped Samir’s back “Relax Samir, it will add more fun. Loosen up yourself” he laughed.

It was 9.30 now and more than half of the vodka bottle was empty. Samir did not drink, as he had to go back home. “Ok guys, its time. I am leaving now. Else I will miss my last bus.”Samir picked up his bag. “Hey Samir, my friend! I told you that I will drop you. Then why are you rushing?” Rohan stopped him. “You are drunk Rohan. You can’t drive like this.”Samir said. “Don’t worry Samir, I will drive” Himanshu said “I do this often. I can drive.” He boasted his capability to drink and stay conscious.

                                                *************************

Samir’s mother and sister rushed to the hospital where Samir was admitted. They ran to the emergency ward, but could not find Samir. They saw one inspector “Hello Sir, I am Samir’s Mother. I think you only called me and informed about Samir. Where is my Son, Inspector?” Samir’s mom inquired. Inspector answred “Right Mrs. Verma, we only informed you.” He continued “Actually, Samir met with an accident and died on the spot.” Samir’s mother went numb out of shock. His sister asked “But how did that happen, Samir just went to his friend’s place. And he was supposed to be back by 10.” 

                                                ****************************

Clock was showing 10 now, and Samir was getting impatient “What is this guys, it’s already 10. Himanshu, you promised me that you will drop me home. Let’s go dude.” “Samir, why don’t you stay at my place tonight, and leave tomorrow early morning.”Vinit Suggested. But Samir was not ready for that “Dude, you know how strict my mom is. She won’t like it. I have to go”.

In next 10 minutes, all 4 friends were in Rohan’s car, driving towards Samir’s house. “Hey Himanshu, your driving is super cool man. I feel as if the car is flying” Rohan was fully drunk now. They all laughed on Rohan’s statement. After few minutes Rohan asked Himanshu to stop the car. “Dude, I Want to drive now” Rohan said. “No Rohan, you are drunk. Himanshu is driving well. Let him drive.” Vinit stopped him. “I want to try man, just for two minutes. If I am not driving well, then Himanshu can continue. Okey?” Rohan Requested. “Why should we take risk Rohan.”Samir argued. “This is my car, and I will drive it. Stop it now.”Rohan Shouted. Himanshu stopped the car and gave keys to Rohan, Samir was sitting next too driver’s seat and he was not happy with this decision. But he kept quite as indicated by vinit and Himanshu. 

Rohan took the driver’s seat for just two minutes but that two minutes drive became the last drive for Samir. Just after few meters Rohan lost control on the steering and hit the car with a truck. 

                                                *****************************

Rohan, Himanshu and Vinit also got badly injured. That two minutes became the life changing two minutes for these four kids and their families. Samir lost his life, whereas Rohan, Himanshu and Vinit were forced to live a life full of guilt. Two Minutes which seemed so small, had it's effect for life long.

The fellow Blog-a-Tonics who took part in this Blog-a-Ton and links to their respective posts can be checked here. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton.

Friends and fun, in the Sun

I entered my office, and the cool air of AC made me feel better. “Oh it’s so nice inside, It is horrible to walk in outside in summers.” I said to my cubical mate and opened my mail box. It was flooded with mails asking for status update, bugs found in my code, meeting schedules etc. “It is going to be a long day” I thought and started working on my code, and then I heard the beep of a new mail. I was suspecting it to be one more meeting request, and when I saw the mail I was surprised.It was from one of my dearest friend Kyra.

Kyra and I studied in the same college, and she was my roommate in the hostel. She was a fun loving, outgoing, bubbly and beautiful girl. We had a group of 6 girls, all of us used to have so much fun together that we used to wish that the college life never ends. But like all good things, our college life also ended. We all moved to different paths to make our careers. Kyra was very much interested in photography, and she decided to make a career in that.  Later I came to know from Suman (one of the girl from our college group) that Kyra got job in a leading magazine, as a photographer and she lives abroad. 

As the year passed we all got busy with work, and lost touch with each other. Today when I saw Kyra’s mail that she is coming to India for a photo shoot, and she wants to meet all her friends, it took me back to all the good time we had together.

One more beep, and I came out of my thoughts. Richa (one of our friend) replied that she is in for the meet, and we should plan to make it more fun by doing some trip. I thought what fun we can do, when it is so sunny outside. And one more reply came, one by one all the friends agreed for the meeting and they were pouring ideas for fun activities. Someone said we should do some street shopping & go to our favorite food joints like we used to do in college. Few wanted to go to a resort and have fun in the swimming pool. After some 9-10 mails, they decided to go to Goa.

Till now it was just me, who has not replied. “Is it just me who is scared to step in sun?” I sighed. “And why not I should be worried of getting tanned in sun, I have my sister’s wedding to attend, just after a month.” I thought and decided to say no for the meet, though the tempting beaches of Goa were making it difficult to say no.

I was composing the mail; somewhere I was feeling bad for missing out all the fun with friends, and the chance to meet my dear friend Kyra. I had no other choice but to skip this meet. I was about to send the mail, when my phone rang. It was an unknown number, I received the call, and it was Kyra’s call.

“Hi Sweety, what’s up?” She asked me in her own casual style.

“Oh my god! I am so happy you called. You had my number?” I was very excited.

“No I did not have but I managed it somehow. You know, when I did not see your reply for my mail, I thought how come my roomie is not game for this fun meet. So I called you to check that you saw the mail or not.” She said.

I kept quiet for some time, I was feeling bad to say no to her, at same time I was not sure about going for the trip.

“What happened, any problem? You always used to be the first one to jump in for any fun activity. Common, tell me is there something wrong?” She sounded worried now.

“Actually Kyra, I would love to join you guys. And I so much want to meet you and have fun as our good old days. But I have my sister’s wedding to attend next month. And you know, she won’t like me to look like a burnt chicken in her marriage.” I explained.

“Oh so you are scared of sun. Common girl, you can’t say no to the trip for this small reason.” She giggled and said “Stop worrying about your skin and leave it on me. I have a magic wand to solve all your skin issues.”

“Are you sure?” I was worried.

“Of course darling, Trust me on that.” She smiled.

Kyra used to take very good care of her skin and she knew quit a lot about different skin care products, so I believed her words. “Okay, if you say so. I am in for the trip” I said.

We promised to meet next week and disconnected the call.

                        *************************************************

We reached Goa, It was very nice to meet all my friends and my sunshine girl Kyra.

It was again me and Kyra who were sharing the room. “It is so sunny, Kyra where is your magic wand?” I asked her while removing my scarf. She smiled and opened her bag and handed over a gift box to me. “What is this?” I asked her while opening the box. I opened the box and found some Lakme sun expert products inside it. I looked at Kyra and she said “This is what I was talking about, my magic wand to keep your skin sun-safe”. Then she explained me about each product, how to use them and how it helps. It sounded so good and tempting.

I applied the product and got ready to hit the beach. We played volleyball, had fun in the sea water, and did some beach side shopping also. In evening when we came back to our hotel, I saw that my skin had no signs of tanning. I was amazed. I hugged Kyra and said thanks to her, for sharing her magic wand with me.

We were talking about our old times and how life is going now, and then I got a call from my sister.

“Hello, Miss Bride to be. What’s up?” I asked my sister.

“Oh… don’t ask me how difficult it is to do all the wedding shopping in this sun. I am so much worried about my skin.” My sister sounded worried.

I giggled and put her on loudspeaker and said “I have a magic wand, which will protect your skin against sun.” Then I and Kyra explained my sister about the Lakme Sun expert products and she agreed to buy them and use them regularly.

After the call I told Kyra that because of her I and my sister came to know about the Lakme Sun expert products, and now we can step out in sun without any fear of skin damage. She smiled and said “I told you, you will love it. Now let’s sleep, we have a long fun filled day tomorrow.”

I smiled and said good night to Kyra and a silent thanks to Lakme Sun expert.

This is my entry for indiblogger "The Lakme Diva Blogger Contest".

 

Friends Forever

This post has been submitted for Friends Forever under Blogadda's Win this Wednesday contest.

Friendship is a unique relation, as rightly said by a French poet “Fate chooses your relations, you choose your friends”. We know the history of human evolution, civilization and how the family system started. But I feel that friendship existed before family system came into existence. Even then human needed some company, which he got in the form of a friend. Even in Ramayana and Mahabharata we see many strong friendship bonds like Sri.Kishana and Sudama, Sri.Rama and Sugreeva, Sri.Rama and Vibeeshana, Karna and Duryodhana. There are so many great examples of friendship in old and recent times.

We all have our share of friends and so do I. I am a people’s person so I have always been blessed with many friends. From kindergarten till now (4 years of professional career) I made many friends. Wikipedia says “friendship is a bond where people always desire the best for each other, have empathy and understanding. They are honest to each other and give emotional support whenever needed.” But I feel we explore different meaning and sides of friendship as life progresses. I have a faded memory of my kindergarten time, but still I remember I used to sit with this girl Vibha in my class and she was my friend. As that time to me friend was, with whom I sit in class, with whom I share my lunch box, pencil, eraser and all. I had few more friends too but now I can only recall Vibha as we two met again during our 10+2 and are still in touch.

The meaning of friend remained same for me until I met my best friend Jyoti in Std 4. We used to sit together, eat lunch together, and play games together. When we learnt letter writing and in assignment we were suppose to write letter to our best friend, we sent letters to each other. We were competitors in class for first position but that never affected our friendship. I was very much involved in extracurricular activities, and that time she used to help me to cover the portions I miss in the class. We were together all the time and so our classmates used to call us chipko movement. Now for me Friendship was not just sharing but also caring.

During high school friendship was more of grouping and hanging out together. We were group of nine girls. We used to do lots of masti, used to play pranks and many girls became our victim. With all my friends, going to school was so much fun that we use to miss school on Sundays. After joining the junior college we choose different disciplines and our group broke, but we were still there for each other whenever needed. That is the age when we see many physical and emotional changes in our self and so our friends during that part of life influence us a lot. Then I learnt that during that phase of life friendship was not only sharing, caring, musti and dhamal but also supporting, correcting each other and guiding. In that age many times our parents can’t understand our problems that well as our friends can do. I must say I was blessed with extremely caring and loving friends. They not only shared their notes with me but also took care of me whenever I fell sick during our industrial visits and other camping. They not only stood with me while playing pranks on others but also stood strong with me whenever I did some blunder.

Many say that the golden ray of friendship vanishes with the start of professional life. There you see only cut-throat competition and backstabbing. And if it’s true then I may be very lucky, as in workplace also I always found very good friends. We always had a balance between our work and friendship. It was my office friends who landed their helping hand always to make me feel like home away from home. Now friendship is not just sharing, caring, masti-dhamal, supporting, guiding but an extended family too.

This is how with life I have explored the meaning of friendship and I won’t be surprised if it still has some more colours to show me. But there is one thing which remained same in all age or time, and that is the unconditional love among friends. That is the soul of every friendship. That is what keeps the connection live between friends who live in two different parts of world.

A good friend is our nearest relation and to get a good friend we have to be one first. I feel honoured to have so many friends and I feel blessed that I am still in contact with many of them. And hence I thought of giving this tribute to all my lovely and darling friends on this friendship day and take a chance to say thanks for all the love and support they gave me. I love you all. Muahh…. Happy friendship day to you all.  :)

Retro Style
Retro Girl

Tragic Emotional Atyachaar

It was sometime last year when I was with my previous organization. I was done with my work in office. Two hours were still there for the office time to get over and I was jobless. It was boring so I went to my colleague’s cubicle to disturb her. We started talking about how jobless we two are and suddenly a mischievous idea popped up in my wicked big brain.

In office we had landline phones in every cubicle. None of my friends knew my landline number so I thought of making the most out of it. I kept my handkerchief on the mouthpiece of the phone, did some voice modulation and called one of my friends. The conversation went like this.

Friend: Hello.

Me: Hello Sir, I am calling from XYZ bank. We are offering you a life time free platinum credit card.

Friend: I am sorry. I am not interested.


Me: Why you are not interested sir. We have so many offers and schemes. This is the best card for you. Take it sir.

Friend: See I am telling you I don’t want this card.

He said that and was about to hang-up on me when I started the real drama. I started crying.

Me: Please take it sir, please take it. I have not got a single customer from morning. I am performing very poor sir. My boss will kick me out if I won’t find a customer today.

My friend being a gentleman was not able to hear a girl crying in front of him. He started consoling me.


Friend: Madam please stop crying. It’s ok. See we can’t perform well everyday. It’s ok, talk to your boss. He will help you out.

I was somehow controlling my laughter. And my colleague closed her mouth with both hands and was trying to control her laughter too.

I made crying sound again and continued the call.

Me: Sir If I don’t get a customer today my boss will take back my job. My mom is very sick, I have two sisters. If I lose this job, how I will buy my mom’s medicine? Who will marry my sister’s sir?

My friend still maintained his calm and was trying to be good to me.


Friend: I empathize with you madam. But I am in-between some serious discussion. I will call you back and take the card. Okay.

This time I failed to control and laughed out loud. On the other side of phone my friend was fully confused. He would have killed me if I was in his line of sight when I disclosed my identity. He was totally pissed off with me, because he left his project review in between and came out to attend the call. We hanged-up the call and continued laughing. But the devil inside us was not satisfied yet. One more colleague joined our wicked group and landed his helping hand by dialing one of his friend’s numbers this time. He told me that this friend of his is very shy to talk to girls. We made our plan accordingly and called him.

Friend: Hello.

Me: Hello Sir, I am calling from XYZ bank. We are offering you a lifetime free platinum credit card.

Friend: I am busy now.

Me: Then when should I call you sir?

Friend: Call me later.

And he disconnected. We dialed him back.

Me: What is this sir? How rude you are. Why you disconnected my call?

Friend: I am busy now. Call me later.

Me: Give me exact time sir.

He disconnected again. We called once more, but he did not receive. Then we called him from other colleague’s landline number.


Friend: Hello.

Me: You can’t run away from me sir. I want your time.

He did not utter a single word and disconnected again. We dialed his number, and it was coming switched off now. We kept on trying but the poor fellow did not switch on his cell. And we all were rolling on floor laughing.

After doing this emotional atyachaar successfully on two victims our confidence level was very high. By then few more jobless colleagues joined the gang. And we decided to attack on our third bakra. One colleague dialed the number and handed over the receiver to me.

Friend: Hello.

Me: Hello Sir, I am calling from XYZ bank. We are offering you a lifetime free international platinum credit card.

Friend: I already have two credit cards. I don’t want one more.

Me: Sir you have two. Take one more no, make it three.

Friend: Sorry, I am not interested.

Now I started the same prank what I did with the first person. I started crying.

Me: Sir my mom is very sick. I have two sisters to marry. My boss will kick me out of this job if I fail to sell you this card. Please take this card sir.

But this man was emotionless. He did not melt with my crying sound. In spite he became angry.

Friend: First of all you stop crying. This is what they taught you in your training? You should not cry in front of the customers. Give me your manager’s number, I will complain against you.

I increased the crying sound.

Me: Very good sir, very good. You go ahead and complain against me. It is my mistake I expected sympathy from a heartless man like you.

This was high time for the guy behind the phone.

Friend: Tell me your name and your manager’s name. I have to complain against you. I won’t take it anymore. Tell me your name now!

He was shouting and he was very angry. We understood, now this is payback time for the atyachar we did on previous two guys. I disclosed my identity and said it was a prank. And I got blasted left and right by him.

Once I kept the phone, we all started laughing. And this is how on the same day I did emotional atyachaar on others and got my share of emotional atyachaar too. :D

P S: This post is an entry to the ”Emotional Atyachaar” contest hosted by IndiBlogger. Please click here to vote…..for me !! :D

What’s in a name???

“What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet.”

How true Mr. Shakespeare was. If I am called by some other name, will I change?

My family and relatives call me Lucky, friends call me Miss. T, some boys in college use to call me shooter, on passport and certificates it is Sweta. Different names, but I don’t change my behavior or characteristics depending on the name. I am same with friends, family, colleagues and classmates. (Some differences may come, but it’s based on my relation with them and not because they call me by different name.).

By the way, I am not going to go on the “My Name Is Khan” way, which says that judge people based on their work and character but not based on their name. As the movie has already shown enough on what the above quote mean. Actually, I will share with you how this quote helps me to reduce my guilt whenever I fail to recall someone’s name and create awkward situation for myself and them. Otherwise I have a very good memory which remembers so many birthdays, old incidents, hour’s long pointless conversation I did with my friends and yes TV commercials (I can sing the jingles exactly as on TV. In my friends group this talent of mine is very much hit :) ) and many other unwanted stuffs. But I am name challenged. And somehow I always manage to fall in the soup.

One such incident which I still share with my friends and laugh my lungs out, happened in my previous organization. I was back from home town with lots of sweets and snacks. I was distributing sweets among my office fellows and in that process I went to one of the manager. As I reached his cubicle I forgot his name. I stood in front of him for 5 min, staring at his face. In background I was trying to recall his name but my big brain was giving “Data Not Found” message again and again. The busy man realized my presence and gave me the question mark look. See how brilliant I am, I returned him the same look and asked “What is your name?” his eyes wide open with shock, that how can a fresher ask his name like this. But I was still in the same state of mind. “Actually I got some sweets for you, but forgot your name.” I said. With a deep sigh he broke his silence “well my name is XYZ, from next time I will try to keep my name tag on”. Later I felt sorry for my act, but time once gone never come back, so I remembered the above quote and made my heart understand “what’s in a name…”

Next incident is quite a recent one. I was taking a break after lunch in the breakout area in office or say I was utilizing the full lunch hour. One colleague came and sat next to me. He said ‘Hi’ and started talking. Actually, the poor fellow was only asking questions, and I was so indifferent that I felt it was a viva instead of a conversation. At the end he asked me do I know his name (It was not the first time I met him). I said yes and replied his name. Guess what, the name was correct. He smiled and said “good, you remember my name.” But on the other end it was me, so just a smile can’t be the reply. I opened my big mouth “No big deal, your friends called your name just now. So only I know else I don’t remember everyone’s name :).” My stupid comment took away his smile. Again I felt like a villain and I was very sorry. With heavy heart I recalled “what’s in a name…”

Other then forgetting name, with few lucky ones I remember some other name for them. That’s not the name they got on their certificates, but I feel this name is just meant for them. In college there was this batch mate whose actual name was Pravin. But I always called him Vinay. He tried correcting me again and again but my mind was not accepting it. I always felt Vinay suits him best. After continuous failures in convincing me, he gave up, and started responding whenever I call him Vinay. This time not only me, even he also understood “what’s in a name…”

There are many such incidents and sharing all of them here is not possible. But the point here is, do not feel bad when some name challenged like me forgets your name or calls your name incorrectly or with wrong pronunciation. As our work and character speaks for us, and not only the name. So be good, live happily and forgive the name challenged people :D .

Happy Birthday

Birthdays are always very special, and for me, this is the day when I feel like a celebrity. Calls and texts from all the friends, blessings from elders and so many gifts, makes this day really exciting and fun filled. I start planning for my birthday weeks before it. I remember nearly all birthdays of mine, the fun I had was amazing.


Well I don’t remember my first birthday (as I was not a super baby with memory card inside my head), but mom says they had a big celebration with all family and friends. I remember in school day’s birthdays use to bring the same enthusiasm like festivals. Whether it’s my birthday or my brother’s or sister’s birthday, all three of us get new dresses else we will fight for it... Wearing colourful dress in school, distributing chocolates in class and getting handmade greeting cards from friends (I still have a bag full of such cards) was what I use to do after special pooja on birthday morning. My mom use to light lamps equal to my age during this pooja. On that evening we use to have a get-together with all relatives and our friends. We three (me, bro, sis) will go and invite the kids with whom we use to play in colony. In childhood I was very fond of lipstick. After my continuous irritation and bothering, mom will finally agree to put a small mark on my lips and I will be so happy. My dimples flash :) . Balloons and 'Happy Birthday' stickers all over our drawing room contributes to the ambiance, as I cut my beautiful cake and then we all dance for hours. There was this Miss L in our colony who declared herself to be a good dancer, but according to me , she is just a copy cat who blindly copies steps from movies (yes its true, not everyone can show steps on the fly as I do sigh :P ). I was always green eyed on Miss L, as on our birthday parties she used to steal all the attention (As a proof of my jealousy there are photos in my birthday album, where she is dancing and I am staring at her from corner).

When I went to high school this big gathering was replaced by less relatives and more friends of mine, but the dance and fun was same (Of course now Miss L was not invited, as I stopped playing in colony, and I was enjoying all the attention :D ). Now archies and hallmark cards took over handmade cards, but the feeling behind the cards were same. Till college this is how I celebrated my birthday.

From the time I left home, for my birthday I only buy my birthday dress, go to temple for pooja (as I don’t have so many lamps with me), now as I have some chillar in my pocket I give myself a good gift (don’t laugh, actually somewhere in one motivational book I read “reward yourself”, I apply it in my life. I give gifts to myself whenever I do something really good and on my birthday. It works well for me :P). But the number of phone calls, wishes and blessings are still same. My mom, dad sends me greeting cards on every birthday. Yes! In childhood during cake cutting we use to keep looking for the piece containing cherry, and now we look for chance to put cake on birthday boy’s/girl’s face. Now I am not with my family but I have wonderful friends who make my birthday special.

Today it’s my fourth Birthday away from home. But the fun and joy is all same. All friends wished me. Some sweet ones took the pain of remaining awake till midnight just for wishing me first, thank you so much for all your wishes :) . All in all I had a nice day. And with this passing day I became smarter and mature, as I believe “more age = more smartness” ;) .