THE LAST HURDLE...

He's been running...and running...and running...
He's been running in this race for quite some time now. In this race though, there are no competitors. That is, he's not competing against anyone but the time. A Time Trial let's say.
Although he has been running for a lot of time, strangely enough, he is not short of breath. He takes a moment while running, and goes over the memories of the start. Where the race began. It was a slow start. The track condition was neither encouraging, nor discouraging. Climate was also neither hot nor cool. Neither raining nor sunny. He just wanted to wait for a while and take a look at how track conditions go on changing. How the climate stands.
Then he felt like he was warmed up. Or the track eased a bit for him to run. Or the climate just got cooler. Or all of them together. But he felt like accelerating. And so he did. He was making distance very fast. For a period of time, breeze was flowing his way. His legs felt lighter than air. At a point of time, he thought he had lost contact with the ground and he was just floating ahead.
But this was not a DREAM run was it? Soon enough, his feet touched the ground, his speed remaining the same nevertheless. He told himself, "This race is really interesting, but far from over. So keep going." And he continued running. Later on as the time progressed, there came variations in the track, the climate. Sometimes climate was cool but track was rough. Sometimes track was flat, but climate very hot. Sometimes he had to run on a rough track in very hot climate. But he kept going. He knew that these obstacles are not going to last forever. He told himself, "You are bigger than this. And this race is far from over. So keep  going." And he continued running.
Soon, as he had expected, there was a betterment in track, in climate. Even if it was bad, he had got accustomed to it and knew how to tackle it. Then smooth or rough, hot or cold ceased to make any difference. He was running with renowned vigour. He wanted to run harder. Because he thought, "The race is far from over."
He had been through so many kinds of places. He had been running up the hill surrounded by grass and trees and and water-falls and all the greenery. He had run through desert sand, beautiful in it's own way. Snowy mountains through the snowfall; in starry nights from villages far far away from all the hussle; on sea-shores with roars of it's waves matching his capacity. He had realised one thing. He had run in a few races earlier. But this race was the most important in his lifetime. And no race in future can probably match the quality of this one, he thought. He had to do his best. He would never get such opportunity again once this race was over. But then he as always thought, "The race is far from over."
Suddenly he came back to present. And he realised---"The race is not that far from over." FINISH-LINE was in his sights now, distant but visible. It struck him hard initially. Because the tranisition came too fast. But he smiled. He knew that the race was going to get over at some time. He always knew. He wanted to run through all the various kind of places and sure he did. Yes this was an amazing race, and it would be sad not be able to run longer. But he knew an aspect of human nature. One appreciates less what he has, and strives more for what he doesn't and tends to value it more. So this would remain the best race he had run, once it was over.
But it's not. It's not over yet. Some distance to go. And there's no question of speeding down until you finish the race, is there? One last hurdle remaining.....And here he goes....!!!!

This can't be real....

It was an unusual morning. I got up, and I immediately felt something different. No no, wait, it had nothing to do with my stomach or my excretory system, no. It was something else. Let's call it unusual only.
I got ready. Surprisingly, it was 9.00 am and water was still available. Normally, thanks to BMC water cuts, we would be using water from local tank installed at my place at this time. So anyway, I got ready, and reached Borivli station. And my usual train in which to catch the front standing position I have to display some athletic skills, was empty. The front standing position was vacant, as if reserved for me. Reservation of these places-pretty good idea. Anand and Chandan know about this.
So, listening to my music, I reached college. Actually, I reached Vrindavan corner.
                                                  God knows why,
                                            I decided to have a chai.
That too in Vrindavan and not in Shetty's. So I entered Vrindavan, and a blow struck me. There I saw Pratap with a hot girl. I went and said "Hi.." And I got to know, from the man himself, that he was on a date with the girl. Whoa..No sooner than I was starting to take this in, another blow came, in the form of "fruit salad". Yes, Pratap and his date had ordered a fruit salad.
                                        I dumped the idea of having chai,
                                                  I said goodbye.
I just entered SPCE entrance and I heard singing. It was a group of people singing songs cheerfully. When I looked closely, it turned out to be Nikita, Komal, Rashmi and Sanket Pednekar. Just to be sure, I asked them, "People, is this part of your project?" The reply I got, "Project? Who cares about that?Waise bhi R.K. ne lecture free diya hai. She said ke 'Let the kids enjoy their lives. Yehi to umar hai.' And waise bhi gaane mein jo maza hai woh aur kis mein hai?" As they said this, Gaurav Dobhal, Sanket Godbole and Anand passed by. I just heard them saying,"Kya idiot log hain..Gaane gaate rehte hain..Project chod ke ye sab dikhta hai ye log ko.." Jhol hai bhai jhol hai!
I started moving towards my class. I thought, 'Free lecture hai. Kuch toh timepass chalu rahega class mein.' I entered our class, and there he was. Mr. Vivek Sagale, on first bench, with a reference book. Yes, with a reference book, completely engrossed in it. I just couldn't disturb him. A few benches back, I saw Vicky. I screamed out at him, "Chal yaar football khelte hain." And he said, "Abe pakta hai yaar football mein. Class mein baith ke hi kuch karte hain na!"
After hearing this, I could no longer stay in class. I called up Ruchika and asked her where were other people. She said, she was with Ankitha and Snehal in Bhavan's canteen. I went there, got a Masala Dosa and Masala Paav and joined them. And suddenly Ruchika shouted, "Ye kaun si faltu dishes le ke aaya hai? Ye sab nahi bhaati mujhe!" Before I could reply, Ankitha spotted some 'so called dude', and went off to get his phone number. Snehal reacted, "Kya maza aata hai dudes ke saath flirt karne mein?"
So I got out of Bhavan's canteen also. There was Tanmay, holding out a banner that said, "SAY NO TO DRINKING!" A couple of girls running in track suit passed by me. I turned around to see who they were, and it was Pratiksha and Swati. They were preparing for some race.  Itne mein, I got a call from Rupesh. He asked me to come to Kirti mam's lab. So I went there and asked him what the problem was. He said, with a cardboard in hand, "Saala kab se ye circle ke shape mein kaatne ko try kar raha hoon, jam hi nahi raha hai. Please kaat ke de na! In fact, poora gift hi bana ke de na!" I stopped him and said, "Dost ye mere se digest nahi ho raha. Ruk main kisi aur ko bhejta hoon." Bahar nikalte hi mujhe Amey Patil mila. I asked him to go and help Rupesh out. He said, "Sure. Plus achche handwritting mein usko kuch likh ke bhi deta hoon. Aakhir Chandan ne mujhe achchi handwritting sikha di hai!"
I decided not to try my luck any more and to go home. But as I was getting into the lift on 5th floor, a group of G.T., Ankit Shah, Gurtej, Chandan, Ann, Himali and a few others came out of the lift. G.T. said, "Alas Omkar we found you. Please teach us this chapter from XYZ subject. None of us understand it." Inside my head I said, "What the hell?" But my hands were taking out 'Reference Book of XYZ' from my bag, my feet were taking me back into the class along with all the scholars, my mouth started saying words from the book, they all seemed to understand what I was saying, I had no control over what was happening, and........
And I woke up. Thank god I woke up. Of course this can't be real. This just can't be. But can some bits of this dream turn out to be true? You never know! After all Life Is Interesting!!

Always moving ahead..

It happened a few days ago. I had come to college in the evening. Tired from a nightout the previous night(lack of sleep I mean to say) and a 3-hour GD-PI session in class just minutes ago, I reached college. I was to meet my friends. But it turned out, they still had an hour or so to come. I thought, what can I do? My thoughts could easily wander on the lines, "shit yaar..I'm bored..I'll cancel the plan and go home". But I thought, let's do something else. So I decided to go and sit in the temple in the campus. It was such a relaxing experience. I didn't actually sleep, but it gave me what I needed.
This always happens, with almost everyone at one point of time or another. One's life comes to such terms that he doesn't know what to do. He has time but no clue as to how to utilize that time. It is often heard, "Kuch karne ko hai nahi re...bas so raha hoon..". For ones who just love sleeping, great thing. But for some idiots such as me, sleeping for more time than what your body and soul asks for, doesn't even account for as a choice. And the choice isn't even needed.
There's so much to do around, it just needs to strike to onself. Life never becomes stagnant. There are so many things to explore, it just needs a little bit of thinking. If seen with right perspective, there's joy in almost everything(I asked myself immediately, "What joy you had whole last month while studying for stupid exams?" I thought twice and still dared to make this statement). There are so many things we don't know. Of course, hardly any of them seem important as to not miss out on. But still, what harm is in it, just in trying out? Who knows, what seems unimportant today may turn out to be the silver-lining of your life tomorrow..
One may feel, I have done everything I was supposed to do. Think again, and try something else if you actually have done everything you are supposed to do. If one feels, "I have accomplished everything! I'm the supremacy..", congratulations. But still there ought to be something missing. Try and find that out. If one thinks "I am just a waste of space. I haven't done anything..", well, even more congratulations. Because you have nothing to loose and everything to gain.
Some feel that I know very well the people around me and then live with those respective images of those people. There's almost always something more about every personality, and sometimes there's a chance that you have overlooked a thing here and there. By chance or deliberately, different issue. I, for an instance, am still getting to know things(I dont mean gossip here..although I confess I enjoy a bit of that also) about many people with whom I spent many years..Most of these things are good. Many even tend to overestimate themselves by saying, "I know myself very well". A slim chance of that being wrong also. There's so much to explore even about yourself!
All I'm saying is that never stop in a phase permanantly. Look back, see what all you have got, take a break every once a while and set out to enjoy the journey of life again. More than anyone else, I tell this to myself. Be happy with whatever you have, and make others happy too. Happy new year to everyone.
Cheers!!!

SAD-RAKSHANAY KHALA-NIGRAHANAY

Two days back, in a TV programme which is basically a singing competition, a special episode was telecast. It was a tribute to all those who fought on 26/11 last year. Well, 26/11 is all over the media these days as it should be. I don't intend to go into all the latest conspiracies that are pouring in. Instead, I'll take this opportunity to write on something else.
The programme I mentioned had some 'MUMBAI POLICE' officers as special guests. They talked about a few things. Some were related to the details of 26/11. But there was also something else. While saying some things, they had tears in their eyes. Contrary to the image of policemen that is framed otherwise, isn't it? In this image, a police man is a corrupt person, always irritated and thus arrogant, with no real will to work. But that's not the entire picture.
Police Officers are one of the most overstressed people. If we take a look at their working hours(both on duty and otherwise), we may be able to infer that. How much sleep we get on an average a day? Six hours, minimum? This figure reduces down to four hours, sometimes even three hours, in case of policemen. At times, they don't get to sleep at all in a 48-hour span. With lack of man-force as compared to what there should be, they have additional work most often. Bound to be a little more irritated than what we think they should be, aren't they? Still, many manage to be very patient with the common man and try to hear them out. It is sometimes we who fail to understand them. It is we who don't co-operate with them
We sometimes tend to think that every policeman we come across is bound to be corrupt, which is not true. Yes there is a lot of 'chai-pani' involved here and there. I'm not trying to justify it. But if a thought is given as to why such things happen, we may see a different side of it. Considering the time they spend on duty and enormous responsibilty they carry on their shoulders, they get paid a little less(if not very less). An IT professional(no offense) gets paid thrice or four times of what the policeman gets. It is this policeman, because of whom an IT proffessional and every civilian as a matter of fact is able to live a relaxed, happy family life. (Family life-another thing a common policeman misses out bigtime). It is him, because of whom we are able to celebrate all the festivals throughout the year without any tension, while this policeman is engeaged here and there for our security so that we have great festivities.
Yes, there are Police Officials who create conspiracies, who fail to realize their duties, who act for their own good rather than that of a common man. But then one should never expect a stock of 100% ideal, perfect items. Imperfections are bound to be there. But as my friend Sanket says, we should look beyond these imperfections and try to realize what a policeman means to a common man. And it is at such times like 26/11, we get to see truly what most of these policemen are made of. They may not have the best weapons, they may not have the best of the technological back-up. But it is their courage, their bravado that differentiates them. We should always remember that we owe them a lot. Thus co-operate with them any time we come across such situation, be it an investigation of stealth or even a 'naka-bandi'. Even if we can't do anything directly for them, the least we can do is not letting die a person inside us who feels for them, who identifies with them. Even if it is the motto of 'Maharashtra Police Seva', it can be applied to every individual who fights for this country. Be it the police, army, navy, air-force, NSG........"SAD-RAKSHANAY KHALA-NIGRAHANAY"--"For protection of the good, For destruction of the evil"...This is what they give their life for...Salute to all these brave men...

Empathy, Self-centrism, Businessmen and The Pretenders

There are various kinds of people around us aren't there..?? But one interesting thing about them is that how differently they can act!! Even while writing this, I don't know what and exactly why I'm writing this, but here it goes..
Empathy-It is putting yourself into other's shoes and feeling,thinking from their point of view..as if you only are in that situation...Well, it's not what I say, this is what we have been taught since "Communication Skills" times..I personally agree with it though. I wonder, how hard can empathising be? I mean, if you know a person well, can't you make out what will make him happy and what is the thing he wants the least? And this is what happens. There is a person X. He has a problem with person Y with something. That time, he is very clear with his reasons, and ends up concluding that Y is wrong. X doesn't really think whether he is thinking in right sense or not. Fine upto this point. But then, X doesn't realize that a person Z has same problems with him. If told, he tries to defend himself without even giving it a thought, "Am i actually wrong?" This time, Z is wrong for him. Is this because X can't think from Z's point of view?
It's not just this. Everyone is used to think in a particular way. But then does that mean all the other ways of thinking are wrong? Is everyone always in same situation? Certainly not. But very few actually take pain and think from other's point of view..that is, "empathize"..
Can self-centrism be the answer to this question? People are so involved with themselves, that they find it totally unimportant to think about others. If someone enters a room, it takes hardly 5 seconds to greet that fellow with a smile, and then one can continue with his own work. But no, some people can't even take pain to do it. Even with the people they "call" Friends. If it is accidental, no problem. But if it is out of "Attitude", then there's a problem. This is just a small example. When doing something, why can't one think if it is affecting your close one very badly? Is it really worth doing that thing considering your closeness with that person? One doesn't really have time to think about others but about himself. Is it lack of empathy, or self-centrism? How can it be, that people expect sacrifices made for them, but they can't sacrifice even a bit for anyone?
Or is there a bit of business-like stuff involved in it? Invest only from where you can get profit, and don't care about something that can't fetch you profit? People do change parties(I'm not speaking in political sense although that can be a very good example) once they know they have got nothing to get from the current one. These are the ones who always look to take advantage of others, even if it causes uncomfort to them. "Hell, why should I care? I am getting what I want." For months, X doesn't consider Y, bad-mouths about him; but when needed something from Y, suddenly X becomes so polite and kind...It can be as simple as some help during exams and vivas...
And here come the deadlier ones--> The pretenders. It is one thing, not revealing every bit of ur intellectual, emotional self to everyone. But to project yourself as one person to X, different person to Y, still different person to Z...And that too for personal gain, or as pathetic as just to have some fun? These are the people who can never accept their mistakes and pretend to be perfect. They have explanation for every thing they do, and reasons(read excuses) for everything they can't do. It is like "what I do-fantastic, rocking...we rock..what you do-boring.."
There are some things they either can't understand or they don't want to understand. Hiding your emotions and all(that too with no intention of doing harm to someone) is but natural. But different situations, different personalities to acheive maximum gain at the cost of your "friends"-crime..Let's say, there are two groups. Group X and group Y. group X is of the normal people with some acceptable abnormalities(obviously, noone can be perfect) and group Y, filled with pretenders. Generally, when surrounded by lot of people, group Y people act very nicely, very decently. But as soon as they get a chance to outnumber people from group X, they are their real selves. Worse, if they corner one of the X lot, that too a very nice and kind of emotional one, they pounce on that chance as a wild dog does on a rabbit. Cheap man, very cheap...To add to it, next day, they are again back to their pretending mode-decent, nice, with explanations ready for their actions...Pathetic..
Does everyone belong to only one of the categories I mentioned?? No..I think everyone has a bit of all the things I said..Even I may have-no denying. Everyone has a person inside who can empathize, who wants to be self-centered, who thinks of the world as a business market and who can pretend. But which of these aspects dominate which individual-Well, personal choice, I think determines that.

P.S. Sorry for so many he, himself, someone, one, they, X, Y, Z...but didn't really know how to go about it..And also for every time mentioning he, himself..Well I am no "male chauvenist", just had to go one way for less complexity..
And again, the incidents mentioned, all need not be from personal experience. Many come from my close pals. Views are mine nevertheless.

Sardar Patel Institute of Acting

Who says that we are in engineering college? I mean, yes we are in engineering college, but the knowledge and skill that is practiced here the most is acting.
Here, almosst all the people act. Most of the students act in lectures and practicals as if they either understand what is being taught, or at least trying to comprehend the crap spoken by the prof. When lecturer's head turns around to write something on board, students either crack silly jokes, express love(read hatred) for prof very silently and carefully so that everyone but the prof gets to hear it. But as soon as the prof turns back his/her head, students straighten up their faces as if they never even moved a muscle of their face. They act as if they will remain in that state of concentration like a statue and won't move even if a hurricane comes up. They never let their actual life and thoughts(sports, gf/bf, food) interfere with their acting.
Some fail in doing so and their misbehaving(read original face hidden beneath the character) is caught by the prof. As if to punish them for not aacting properly, prof asks some stupid questions. The poor student puts all his acting experience into it(mam I wasn't doing anything, sir I was paying attention etc). Some brilliant actors even manage to phrase the dialogues (read answers) and answer the question so confidently as if they are already done with the subject. They manage to read out whatever is written on the board, get some back-stage help(read hints from other actors sitting around), use 3-4 other english words repeatatively, phrase a sentence in active voice, rephrase it in passive voice, and this goes on till the patience of the prof run out. What spontaneous acting!
After coming late for the lecture, they act out so many justifications like "outhouse project", "late trains" etc. They never show on their faces that they actually were in gymkhana or canteen. When a proxy is caught every actor like us looks here and there with expressions like "who does such shameful act?" What actually is in their mind is "saala aaj wapas pakayega ab".
But hang on! Students are not the only actors aaround here. "Chele" are like this, then "Guru's" are supposed to be better than them. Most of the profs are far better actors than us, the students. They enter the class with a body-language that commands(read demands) respect. For hours, they act as if they know everything. Their "I know it all" expressions are amazing. To stand in front of a class for hours and to keep on acting..boy it's a tough job! But they do it so well!
They can act stubborn as well. When we, the students, undergo our acting tests e.g. project prsentation, they all stick to one dialogue of their own. One keeps saying "Idea Clear nahi hai", other reiterates "Concept is very good, but how are you going to implement it?" (Had we known the answer, we would have completed the project and thrown it on their faces). The other more intelligent(read oversmart) actress, who carries the name project co-ordinator, asks such doubts that test the students very hard. What student think-"What is she asking? Is it related to my project?" What they express-"yes mam, we'll surely work on it." (of course with a straight face)
There are some exceptions though. Some of the lot, that includes some students and office-staff don't feel the need to act at all. Such students on seeing the prof, or such office-staff on seeing students, make their faces as if a pig farted on their mouths. They can act, they just don't.
But there are some rare breeds. They arre the non-actors. Either they don't know how to act or it is not at all required for them to act. This category includes some genuine students and some exceptional profs e.g. Ambavade Sir, who never act. They are what they are. We the actors are so ashamed(read proud) of them!
Rest everywhere, acting goes on and on and on.............

Adversity = Opportunity

A few days back, I had attended a seminar as a part of "management conclave" by CPLC. There was a lecture by Mr. Ajay Piramal, a successful entrepreneur. In that speech of his, one of the things he mentioned really caught my attention and triggered my thought process-
"Adversity = Opportunity"
What a brilliant comparison it was! Often, adversity leads to unhappiness, depression. And yes, it's normal. We are humans with emotions after all. But should things stop here only? Absolutely not.
One can also look at such unfortunate incident as an opportunity. An opportunity to explore yourself. To explore huge amount of possibilities that surround us. A student who has got a drop in his engineering (man angineering is so close to me-1st example that crops up in my mind and engineering is there..), he/she may have the potential to achieve much greater success in some other field, say music or acting or even a race jockey to go to an extent. Who knows, maybe engineering was holding him behind, and the drop could make him understand his/her own self!
We find a number of stories around us, of some famous and successful people. Many of them have had encountered really bad situations in their lives. Perhaps that was the reason, they say, that they are so successful today. Others, if not famous, at least are very much satisfied in their lives.
And hell, this is what differentiates an optimist from a pessimist. Does misfortune stop one's life? No, it actually opens many doors for one. It brings out talents amd qualities in one, of which, he himself may not be aware of till that point of time. Explore such opportunities, explore yourself, look beyond adversities, and you'll be happy-that is what i tell to myself...