Rendezvous with words

The memoir of ushering the new year 2011

2011-01-17T17:12:00.010+05:30

When I look back on the way I welcomed 2011 into my life (though it gave me chills to realize that I have been walking on this earth for quite sometime now) I feel it was one of the most memorable ones.
In childhood it was Doordarshan and family. During college it was hostel friends. After joining office it was trips with college friends till some time. Then one year end, Joydeep (Brother from another mother) and Nithya graced the occasion. Then 2009-2010 was with friends in a 5-star hotel party. And this year……it was just amazing.
The conception of the trip started on 10th December. 2010 at “Varun’s Surprise Birthday Party” which was arranged by Varun himself at my place. Sanket Mohanty, who likes to call himself the “Banker” and the “NON-IT guy”(Guy??? That’s just hiding his age I guess!) floated it into the party air, where all sober people agreed. Before they got drunk!
The mail chain followed, started by me on deciding the place. After two dozen mails, we were going no where, Mr Banker commanded us to freeze on Glenrock Estate, Yercurd.
Like all law abiding citizen, afraid of being tortured to death we agreed. Few not so brave people backed out and one particular guy Mr. Varun Nigeria Giridhara had to be only web present due to constraints of traveling to Africa.
With two dozen more mails we decided on the mode of transport. Hiring a tempo traveler seemed to be more painful as the persons responsible faced cancellation from the owner’s end. Finally, Mr Suntrupth S Yadav with his hold on the city transportation dept. we were able to find one.
After a long conference call the pick up points were decided. As the place happened to be an estate far from civilization so we needed to carry our own booze. We decided the party to be a BYOB (Bring Your Own Booze) party. And also it was a BYOV (Bring Your Own Vegetables) bar-b-q party for the Veggies!
On 31st morning, I was woken up by Ms Kavita Sapra and Mr. Carthik Annayan…at night 4:45am oops! Somehow I managed to wake up, pack my stuff and reach Carthik’s house. From there we picked up Ms Shilpa, Mrs. Darshana and Mr. Sanket on our way to the pick up point where Ms Sneha, Ms Kavita , Mr Suntrupth and Master Adarsh were waiting for us.
The journey had begun for one of my best new year celebrations. A foggy day indeed, with toll taxes emptying our pockets and we emptying the beer bottles!
After Salem, the Ghat section starts. And to reach Yercurd we needed to negotiate 20 hair pin bends. We definitely did that with some ladies falling sick to the nauseating feeling and with intermediate breaks for photo shoot!
By this time Mr. Sanket Mohanty – the NON-IT Banker had been named “Pappa”, Mr. Carthik – “Shiela”, Ms Kavita – “Tiny”, Ms Shilpa – “Chill Paa”. And Pappa was eyeing Shiela for his/her jawani while Pappa’s wife Daru (Mrs. Darshana) looked cheated! While Ms Sneha, started booking her apology for getting drunk and misbehavior in advance! While her fiancée Mr. Suntrupth seemed anxious for the night at hand!
Finally we managed to reach the “Glenrock Estate”, had lunch and went for quick siesta. After a trekking exploration, the ladies got locked into the dormitory to get ready which we thought were just wastage of time as there were none to see their make-up. (Though I consider myself corrected here, otherwise the pictures would have really been a horror show [I know I can get killed for this statement]).
The bar was set up and we welcomed two new members Mr. Jithin Shankar and Mrs. Dhanya Nair Shankar and thankfully they greeted us with open arms and “Pineapple cheese”, loved both their affable nature and the “Pineapple Cheese”! Which one more? Hard to tell.

We were gulping down alcohol at a rate even jet planes would have been put to shame on their fuel consumption. And finally one engine gave in. Master Adarsh got down on his knees to the “Natural” rocks and loved them. He managed to vomit his love for them.
There were few mind blowing performance from Shiela, Pappa and not so mind blowing performance from my side. And the mood set in as the music from the phones set the dance floor on fire, and the bonfire seemed to get the shivers!

At the stroke of midnight, we all (except the guy who was in love with his soulmate – the Rocks at Glenrock Estate) welcomed 2011 with champagne (Champa ki agan) and some tequila! Which was followed by an ISD call to Nigeria to our Mr. “Yello”.
The coldness set in and all the drunk souls went to the dorm to sleep, where Sneha(Sissy) happily slept with the wine Cork, undermining Suntrupth’s (Sunny Boy) presence. And she sang her way to glory. Adarsh (The Rock Lover/Humper) slept in his own jolly love world. Carthik (Shiela) started cracking his Russell Peter moment jokes. Kavita (Tiny) was tired managing the drunkards of Yercurd. Shilpa (Chill Pa) went missing with her phone. Pappa was waiting for the ligts to go off for his time with Shiela while Daru waited to catch Pappa red handed. And as for me….. with tonsillitis and blocked nose I went off to sleep, only to be told the next morning that I was snoring my way to the Guinness book of World records!
On 1st morning we had our breakfast and set forth for the journey back with a 30 min stop for photo session.

Again the 20 hair pin bends loomed large. Pappa inaugurated the pucking session where Sissy, Tiny and Chill Paa followed. We had to stop for some meds for me followed by lunch where I was the whale eating the bulk of the meals!
The Rock lover started the vote of thanks where we knew what all of us think about each other. What an eye opener that was. And as usual Pappa/The Banker threatened people with to upload photos within the next 24 hours of reaching Bangalore and all of us obeyed it to the last second!
Now, as I look back to the trip, I find myself smiling to the thought of it. It was definitely a pleasant, humorous, entertaining, enthralling, revealing, emotional, bonding trip! A whole year lies ahead of me now, but this bunch of friends hope carry on for the years to come.

luv 'n' luk
Arnab Chakraverty/Nobbi

P.S. :- The mail chain finally stopped 4 short of a century.......... Next time we think, we can score a century.

FIFA World Cup and me

2010-06-16T15:09:00.002+05:30

Though have memories of the world cups in 90s…… but just went through a reflection last night regarding the 1st 3 FIFA World Cups in the 21st century [2002-2006-2010]

Year 2002
FIFA WC location: Korea/Japan
Winners: Brazil
My location: Kolkata, India
Doing what: Studying engineering (BTech)

I still remember the day, the students had called for a strike and we had taken to the streets against the management (Almost usual scenes in any college around West Bengal). We the students, blocked the main gate of the campus and were sitting on the road with ladies in front and gents at the back standing. We were getting agitated, anxious and more over frustrated by the scorching sun and the moronic management.
Suddenly some senior announced “Dude today England plays against Brazil, in the quarter-finals”. And the boys who were shouting slogan against the management suddenly went quiet. Someone shouted “Go England go”………few shouted “Brazil is the king”. And then frantically we started searching for a television in the neighborhood, who would allow us to watch the match. Thankfully one gentleman obliged and we hurdled on top of each other to catch the glimpse, totally forgetting about what we were supposed to do for the strike! Though England lost the match and few members were upset but we went back to holding our position in the plot for the strike with renewed vigor and in between slogans discussing the match. We sat there till the mid of the night including the ladies. Food was flowing in from hostel messes and pooling in money! The seniors and us bonded too well over the strike and the match!
World Cup came to an end in the next few days, so did the strike with both the sides (management and the students) compromising on few fronts! But as I remember that world cup, brought 120 people closer over the game watched on television of someone else!

Year 2006
FIFA WC location: Germany
Winners: Italy
My location: Bangalore, India
Doing what: Working

Location changed from the previous world cup. Was staying in a 2 Bedroom flat, with two very dear friends of mine who also were working in a MNC in Bangalore. We knew each other from our college days. We had a small 14 inch computer monitor with an external television tuner card. Small but effective! It was the world cup finals, Italy versus France. Being a big Zizou (Zinadine Zidane) fan, was supporting France. My other two roomies were supporting Italy citing the reason that Italy was the underdog! And when the infamous “Head-butt” happened and Zizou was sent home…….I was shocked. And my roomies rejoiced in the moment. Certainly I was not happy with the proceedings, and we 3 had a good verbal argument. In the end Italy took home the cup, Zizou the red card! And seeing me upset my roomies made coffee and we shred off the differences and enjoyed the moment!
That FIFA WC brought me closer to my close friends. Though like last time didn’t have a 120 huge crowd. Just had 3 and a small but own computer screen and the warmth of the house!

Year 2010
FIFA WC location: South Africa
Winners: ??
My location: Bangalore, India
Doing what: Working

The world cup has just begun. I still stay in the same house, from the previous FIFA World Cup. Have a 29” flat screen television with surround sound…….and pathetically I stay alone! Last night Brazil’s opening game against North Korea, there were so many emotions and moments in the game. But, I had no one to discuss it with. No one to make an argument or appreciate the game! Just simple plain watch the match, shout in aguish or scream in glory only left with myself to do that…..Hi-Fives only with myself…no one else!

From the 2002 till 2010, definitely have progressed in terms of the Game. And also self, in materialistic aspects. From standing on the road and watching the game to sitting at home and watching the game. Sadly the truth is that from 120 I’m down to myself! Surely everyone has progressed in life and they should. We all leave behind fond memories of each other with one another! Hope my friends do cherish it too!
Do not know what the 2014 FIFA World Cup would bring in my life next…hope its not like “Last Man Standing” again!

PS:- Dedicated all you people who live moments like these, and believe “Friends are forever!”

Luv ‘n’ Luk
Arnab Chakraverty

Pizza

2009-03-19T13:30:00.001+05:30

It was the year of 1998, the place was the capital of India. The co-actors were my elder sister and her boyfriend (now better known as Jambo urf Brother(Big B)-in-law).
The stage was set for a great day, apart from me being the bone in the perfect setting.
Yes, I proudly state that I intruded their date and made it a formal meeting. Ha ha ha. It feels so good to smell something burning ain’t it!
We went to Priya’s..a famous movie theater in Delhi. To watch Godzilla( didn’t understand why they needed to watch that movie, when they could have just glanced at me !)
But the part after the movie was a better one. We all went to eat at Nirula’s a restaurant chain like McDonalds. And there I tried something different. Some crispy stuff..with lot of white semi-solid or rather jelly(reminded me of something else) thing with lots of capsicum and slices of chicken in it. And they said, its name is “Pizza”. And instantly I though these guys have a liking to things with “I”,”z” and “a” in it( irrespective of the order).
Though I didn’t like it at the first go, but thought of it as a food which can be had when all options have been exhausted.
Year 2001. I had already moved to Kolkata for my studies. And by this time a Pizza restaurant chain was making waves in the city. The name was “Pizza Hut”. I had a notion that it would be like a dhaba serving Pizza with lassi! Man the name “Hut” confused me.
And one of my roommate was a Pizza fanatic (though think the fanaticism has died after his marriage). So, we ventured into the “Hut” unknown.
The only thing that resembled “Hut” was me……. Nothing else! They had a bell too. May be you needed to ring it to call for service!
On the table were chilli flakes, oregano seasonings(I knew it a lot later) but where did the usual salt and pepper go? Weird isn’t it?
And this is how it started. We ordered, we ate and we did have a good time. The matter of fact is when surrounded by friends even the most ridiculous things, even the most embarrassing stuff seems like fun!
Till we were in college every month we did have Pizza Delivery at our place. By this time there was something known as Domino’s Pizza too. We feasted. We utilized every offer those Pizza chains had thrown at us.
I still remember we all huddling around a box waiting for it to open so that we can paw down the largest slice. And in doing that we used to spread the cheese and the toppings all over. Pizza – the fun food, we used to call it!
But, I did have one of the amazing pizza’s just after I completed my 2nd sem. I went to Delhi to visit my Sister and brother-in-law. And my sister prepared pizza that day. I would be damned if don’t tell this, ”It is still the most amazingly tasty pizza I ever had.”
Oh! No what have I done. How can I praise my sister’s cooking in public, when I never even have said “Good food”, when she prepares those for me! She must be “one” time lucky! Let’s give it to her.
These days, you have all sort of Pizza corners..”Papa John”, “Pizza Port”, “Pizza Corner”(Don’t know where they find a corner in a pizza..may be they make the square shaped pizza.)
And when you stay late in office or work over time, Pizza is the one thing you order. Not out of love. But it is quick to eat. You can have it right at your desk. Bill gets reimbursed without hassles. They sometimes do provide complementary offers, so more for the tummy!
I never though of it before writing the blog. Great seems Pizza does increase your logical power. Just kidding! But it does add to my gigantic figure!

luv 'n' luk
Arnab Chakraverty

Sambar - the lost love

2009-02-26T21:33:00.002+05:30

The name may have ignited few questions about me writing a recipe in my blog. The time hasn’t come yet but would one day definitely write about those too (My Lab called “The Kitchen”…hope this ignites few passionate lab rats like me, to at least pen down their unique tasting day to day preparations for people to savour!)
Coming back to the subject, “Sambar” at hand.
Since my childhood, I had been fond of this South Indian delicacy with few more. I loved Dosa, Idly, Upama and the one and only Sambar. It was a feast day gulping down those bowls and bowls of Sambar as if there was no tomorrow.
Sambar could be credited to a certain extent for the amazing belly build that I had, which my sister always said as “baby fat”…which still continues.
I was in blind love with Sambar, so much so that my mother used to always say, “We ll get you married to a south Indian girl!” And that used to fill my thoughts with bowls and bigger bowls of sambar coming my way. This was one of my gastro love stories.
Like our films, there came a villain in our fairly long relation. Me being shifted to Bangalore, the silicon city [Don’t know where those gardens from the geography books pictures of green Bangalore went to?]
I stayed for 6 months at a pg near the “Hoody Village”, which served us soda mixed rice, some kind of slimy liquid called “Sambar” (No my love cant be so ugly), hot water with haldi and karhi patta called “Rasam”. And there it all happened! I started hating her. For her ugliness and the way she treated her love – my stomach! In that area where ever you looked it was either a Shanti Sagar or a Cart selling rice and sambar. Even the office caterers use to serve the same ugly looking Sambar. It was Sambar ..sambar everywhere, but not a drop of my previous love for me!
I shifted my base from Hoody to Thayagaraja Nagar. The same smell followed me there too. But, since I had cooking arrangements I cooked meals for myself. Though cherished those magical moments with Sambar.
My nephew too is in love with her…. And my sister still calls me up to let me know that they are going on a dinner/lunch date with my ex!
I shifted again, towards HAL where there is less predominance of my ex. I had by this time been a part time cook feeding my room-mates. And as they used to call it, being lucky guinea pigs for my lab- my kitchen.
But loves doesn’t die, it just needs a rekindle! And God does find his own unique way to bring back the love lost.
Through my friend Chandan, I met Varun in Kolkata, during my latest visit to my hometown. Since he too is in Bangalore, we decided to meet up every possible weekend. Last weekend we went for a movie and I stayed back at his place.
And as if God had written it, everything was falling into place…breakfast with Rawa Idly (Breakfast in a bachelor’s life staying alone is a dream come true), which Varun would better tell you how I looked, like a man just been starving for years. I had plans to leave before lunch, as breakfast does make my stomach cry which it eventually did. But could not say “No” to aunty.. and who doesn’t want a home cooked delicious food filled with lots of love and served with even more! And there it was Rice, sambar, rasam with few others side role actors. I first was skeptical about having to meet my old love. But once the ice was broken, my love was back in full swing.
I beg to state that who ever didn’t have the pleasure of having sambar prepared by Aunty (even after being friendly with Varun) must have good reasons like “Staying in shape”(cause u cant stop eating..you eat till you die). Since shape is just a farce for me, when it comes to choosing between good food and shape. I chose the former. Aunty by now must have realized, what goes in to keep my gigantic figure in shape and my belly happy!
Once again my love story sees a new beginning, and dating place would definitely be Varun’s dining room.

Luv 'n' Luk
Arnab Chakraverty

Tagging? Don’t know, but doing it!

2008-12-25T03:48:00.000+05:30

I do know nothing about this “Tagging”, but to be frank enough, can not say “No” to Chandan.
The rules of this game:
RULE #1: People who have been tagged must write their answers on their blogs and replace any question that they dislike with a new question formulated by them.
RULE #2: Tag 6 people to do this quiz and they cannot refuse. These people must state who they were tagged by and cannot tag the person whom they were tagged by. Continue this game by sending it to other people.

The response to the chain of questions(which I think gives an insight into what Arnab Chakraverty is all about).

1. If your lover betrayed you, what will your reaction be?
Taking about betrayal, I have seen many though all were not personal. He he he.
My reaction would be as simple as a common man, hurt – revengeful- calming down – reject the idea of revenge – leave the issue to GOD – move on for there is more to life !

2. If you can have a dream to come true, what would it be?
Dream nope- I don’t have a dream, I have dreams! From being a successful professional to a successful human being!
Thought provoking though, I would like to publish a book / novel.

3. Whose butt would you like to kick?
Chandan’s…as he dragged me into this!(just Kidding)
Wanna kick some! But you know too personal to write them down. But yup all terrorists who try to hurt India.

4. What would you do with a billion dollars?
Invest to get the cash flow coming long after I’m gone. Also, take out some amount for the foundations like CRY and Help Age India.

5. Will you fall in love with your best friend?
Best friend is something not in my dictionary. There can be “Friends who are my life line”, “good friends” and “friends”.
And If you taking about the former, I would love that idea, as she could really understand me, any time! And the vice versa.

6. Which is more blessed, loving someone or being loved by someone?
Being loved is divine. Loving someone is worship.

7. How long do you intend to wait for someone you really love?
Is life time an option? If no then move on!

8. If the person you secretly like is already attached, what would you do?
Keep mum, and pray for her happiness and my feelings to fade!

9. If you like to act with someone, who will it be? Your gf/bf or an actress/actor?
None. I am what I am! I would just be myself.

10. What takes you down the fastest?
Monotone, hypocrisy, snobbism, intolerant and non-adjusting attitude.

11. How would you see yourself in ten years time?
Happily married, with kids. Living with friends and family by my side. A good professional stability. Publishing my novel.

12. What’s your fear?
I am deserted by my friends who are my life line and close ones.

13. What kind of person do you think the person who tagged you is?
Who the bugger Chandan? I know him for the past 7 yrs now and counting. You asked the wrong person..as I can go on and on about him.

14. Would you rather be single and rich or married but poor?
Who said married men are rich???
I would prefer the being married and poor, as money may come and go, but one day when it goes and you are left alone you ll feel pity on yourself, which I don’t want!

15. What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?
Run to the bathroom and finish my chores.

16. Would you give all in a relationship?
I would give all, without changing the essence of what I am.

17. If you fall in love with two people simultaneously, who would you pick?
Huh, asking the wrong question to the most unfortunate one…..

18. Would you forgive and forget no matter how horrible a thing that special someone has done?
If she is special, she wont do anything horrible! But by chance if it happens, as her why she did that and then decide.

19. What are your three most important expectations in love (Original Question: Will you marry me?)
a.) I am what I am, love me for it!
b.) Trust, no questions asked, no answers sought. Giving space.
c.) Lot of humour

20. List 6 people to tag:
6??? I ll try as many as I can:
Sudipto Da
Pallavi
Dona
Partho

I believe if they wish they ll tag too!

luv ‘n’ luk
Arnab Chakraverty

Journey

2008-12-13T02:33:00.000+05:30

Wandering the lands unknown.
Searching for the land where sun shone.
The footprints so lone!
Reality is so prone.

The dream never sleeps.
The mind never weeps!
The eyes never peeps-
Cause heart gives all the leaps.

Tiresome is the journey so forth-
Grueling it would turn till the fort.
But would zeal dock at this port?
Or march on dream’s retort

Nothing has been achieved yet.
But the castles are all set-
To be won by the best!
Marching on, at hopes behest.

Every where is a new land-
Which waits for the magical hand.
But the feet bruised from the testing sand-
Lead to the softness of this magic wand?

Luv 'n' Luk
Arnab Chakraverty

The Royal Bengal Tiger – DADA [Sourav Chandi Ganguly]

2008-11-15T16:38:00.000+05:30

On the 10th November, 2008 the era came to an end, a stand still. And after that there has been flood of blogs and comments on the master of hearts – the tiger on the field and life… who will roar on .. as tiger never stops!
But, Dada apart from Indian Cricket has influenced many off the field too… common men like us. And I happen to be one among the crowd of people he has influenced.
He may be known for many things that he did on the field, but I would also like to remember him who showed the world that what a man with grit, determination can do.
And that is where the journey begins for a common man like me.
He was a man who lived and died by his own wish, like a phoenix he rose from the ashes to glory, time and again. Tested to the utmost limit, battered with time, but still he walked on , on the path of glory.
People like us, are always put to test. Battered with time. Responsibilities loom large. Expectations soar. And we do sometime tend to crumble under it.
He the Maharaj, has showed us that these are part of the life we lead either by choice or destiny. And his way has showed that “Fight On” is the best way to succeed. Like the famous saying “Khudhi ko kar buland itna, ki khuda qyamat se pehle pooche ki “bata ki teri marzi hain kya””
Every defeat every criticism he took in his stride, to prove one and all wrong.
And that we the common man strive for, at least not win all but we do win some. That was Dada has taught us.
He also told us like the god gifted timer and stroke player he is, we all have something in us as a “God’s Gift”. Like his sweet glorious cover drives and dancing down the wicket for sixes, we have something elegant in us( which we should explore) and seek for the opportunities among those opportunities that come by our side to score on the maximum.
He with his shear “Getting on the nerve” of the Aussies and the “Pay it back” kind of attitude, he showed us that no opponent is too strong and no one too overpowering if dealt with the right attitude.
And with his comeback he showed us, the common man, that every man can stand back. What ever the circumstance is or who ever the boss is.
As we remember the glorious era and legacy that Dada has left behind. I tend to think that this must be another lesson (not the last ) in the book called “Inspirational Dada”, which tells the common man that set the stage for others to come and remember the you for who you were and are.
Thank you Dada, for all that you gave us. For all that you did. Thank you!

luv ‘n’ luk
Arnab Chakraverty

The Indefinite Wait

2008-09-15T20:36:00.000+05:30

After many debating sessions with myself of not putting such issues on my blog, I could not hold back the Indian in me. So, I am writing this for you all to read the mind of an individual Indian.

Its not been long for me as an Indian citizen. I have been a citizen of India by birth, virtue, heart, will and emotion. Growing up in the land called "Secular" was so enriching. Even with the cultural divide, communal divide, economical divide I always felt a sense of pride. Not because I am from a general class but because it inculcated a sense of love for all strata of people. A sense of tolerance towards my fellow countrymen.

But there were definitely few jolts not in my way of thinking or tolerance or love towards my countrymen or my motherland. These were the few events that rocked the founding pillars.

The demolition of Babri Masjid, the communal riots, the Terrorisation of Kashmir , The Mumbai bomb blast. I was too small to understand the meaning of all those heavy things. And those days our only news channel was DD News!

As I grew up and started to know more and learn more. Taking steps towards being a responsible, educated and aware citizen of India. I was again hit by the sad reality of The Kargil War or rather Operation Vijay, IC-814 hijack leading to the release of a well known terrorist, the attack on the parliament. And what we did - nothing again!

Then in these few years we have seen terrorists trying to terrorize us through different ways. One among them is Bomb blasts which is now become the trend (Mumbai, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Surat how many more cities should go to the terror pyre?) and then the religious intolerance that has been the aftermath. The call for independent states in every part of the union of India? Where are we heading?

As a young Indian, I ask the people in the high ranks who govern us... till what time we be only a meek spectator to these kind of atrocities being thrown at us. Aren't we competent enough to take a stand other than "Atithi deva bhawa"[Guest is God].....which by our current stand seems the terrorists are also our Guests!

When Kargil war took place, many of my brave bothers shed the fear of death for our motherland. Fought bravely and finally we were able to throw those terrorists out of our land. We celebrated. Yes we needed to celebrate. But give me a reason why do we need to celebrate on such things where

1. Many of my brothers were martyrs.
2. The land belonged to India, we did not even win an inch of the land which used to be India's
3. Which revealed our blind trust in an enemy which does not have the word "trust" in their dictionary.

And still we celebrated. I too was among those. But the reality would not be far or deceptive, few years later it hit all of us hard.

The attack on the citadel of democracy in India The Parliament, our parliament. And what did we see only comments from our revered ministers. And in action only one guilty charged. Simply conveying the message rather than the tree we are happy enough to get hold of the fruit.

Why did Indian Government not have enough guts to wave a war against terror and hit the areas they knew were the main problem destinations? The reason they conveyed was that we are a tolerant nation, a nation whose father is Mahatma Gandhi. But how long and till what time we would follow ahimsa [ tolerance].

Then in recent past we have seen our cities being battered with serial bomb blasts. People dying. My countrymen dying. And we just are mock spectators to the terror and the terrorists plans. We seem to be so helpless. We seem to be so vulnerable. We seem to be so carefree. We seem to be so unattached.

And amongst these events we now have killings in the name of religion. Where is our Right to freedom of religion gone?? Where is the sense of us having Mahatma Gandhi as the father of the nation gone?

People demand free independent states for a community. They call strikes. But to what use? They fail to realise the simple fact that in turn they harm their economy, the essence of earning bread. What would independent state achieve for them that a country as a whole would never be able to? I fail to understand that. Please someone tell me? With these demands it seems like "United we stand, divided we fall" is a myth or a farce?

The recent events show us that we are a country which is tolerant to all kind of terror activity, catastrophe but regionalism and religion. The main essence of Secularism is somewhere getting lost. The vision of our forefathers are being diluted for materialistic gain by certain affluent people. Because just those people want to earn name, fame and profit and they command the gift of the gab!

At this point of time, I as an Indian feel that the time has come to take a stand and do what US did in Afghanistan. We should do the same to the terror hubs we know of. How long will we tolerate all these? We are a country which gave birth to Netaji, Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad. Their spirits should now be shown to the world.

"Charity begins from home". Lets clean our home and the neighborhood for a better future. Like the leaders who took a firm stand for the nuclear deal for a better future, can't they do this bit for a better and safe India?

P.S. :- These are my feelings and they do not have any resemblance or attachment to any group. These feelings are the fall out of so many deaths that my country had seen for the past few year, which were just uncalled for. Its also a salute to the spirit called India.

My Friends

2008-07-19T20:18:00.000+05:30

Remembering the hostel’s first night,
All alone, too prone.
Suddenly like angel, you all came in sight!
My Friends, far away have we grown?

The smiles, the laughs echo still-
In this lonely mist.
Trying too hard to walk against God’s will.
My Friends, the void still persist!

The pranks are only memories,
The togetherness just a numb feeling.
Listening patiently to each others life’s stories.
My Friends, why is life so unwilling?

We have grown, to take on the world-
We are grown after all.
The different ways we trusted in the lord.
My Friends, where’s the hand to save my fall?

Bathing together, making human sandwich-
Dancing in the pouring rain.
Supporting each other without a flinch!
My Friends, parting was real pain.

My heart yearns to relive those-
Moments of togetherness, that I found.
Which seemed like a fairy prose.
My Friends, can you hear my heart’s sound?

She

2008-07-15T20:28:00.000+05:30

Seeing her dancing in the rain,
Like a child with no pain.
Heart took over the brain-
Emotions leaped for her,like a speeding train.

She came and smiled,
Made the emotions wild!
And by autumn so mild-
Her presence meant like a mother to a child.

Her smile faded the snow around,
And everything that surround-
Was lost and never to be found.
And winter faded to the Cupid's sound!

The spring arrived with a new role,
She became the mate of the waiting soul!
Happiness - rock and roll!
Limelight we always stole.

Then came the rain again-
Filled the heart with pain!
The brain was no more sane-
She took the heavenly plane!

The winter was so ruthless
Filled the heart with loneliness.
But the nights remained restless,
And the days were speechless!

Every time saw her falling from the cliff so steep-
Trying to catch her,but waking from the sleep!
Something hurt very deep.
Memories of her - lifeline to keep!

During a rainy night-
Dream that always fight!
She didn't take the falling flight.
Instead she held me tight!

Smiled and climbed the white horses cart-
And spoke in a tone filled with love from the heart,
"Adieu in this life love, in next we cannot part"
And I woke up with a start!

The Run

2008-07-04T17:14:00.000+05:30

Life is all about being in the fast lane,
Running here, achieving that..like insane.
Always trying to be on the opportunity train.
Always remembering, "No gain, without any pain"

But where is the man, which parents visualized.
In this world of achievers, has he capsized?
Here every dream has a tag thats priced!
And to achieve, someone has to play the Christ!

But for whom he runs-
Their heart burns!
Waiting for their turn,
Of love and affection to churn!

Everyone around needs a dream life-
Putting themselves to the edge of a knife.
But what more we need something more to survive-
Love for family, and jolly friends are worth a strife!

Family and friends, are the assets for a man!
They shower love, giving the perfect tan.
Hold on to them as happily as you can!
Because when you wake up, dreams-out they ran!

Mother

2008-06-23T14:32:00.000+05:30

Through the warmth of her feeling;
The touch so healing;
The voice so appealing-
She gives you life's meaning.

The feelings so pure,
About you she's so sure;
All your sorrows, she cure-
teaches you to be demure!

For nine months she bore,
With pain....she, you tore-
Laughter was on her face, not sore,
You were her's from the deep core.

In your pain,
She was like an umbrella in the rain-
Takin care of your drain-
From physical to your brain.

But ask yourself, oh child!
Have you gone mild-
Drifted away in the wild;
Not to look after, the GODDESS, so blind!

In her pain too, she will smile,
So that it takes a while-
For you to realize her style-
Of shealding you all the while!

Luv 'n' Luk
Arnab Chakraverty

Another try for Failure

2008-06-18T21:27:00.000+05:30

Well the journey has began, and it was real time for me to post again. People had started accusing and abusing me of writing such things which most of them could not decipher. But, even the thought of writing something which could be deciphered by all and yet have a value attached to itself was just too hot to handle. So, here I come again to try my hands and unleashing my friends to you all.

Hey wait a while... but what am I supposed to write about? What am I supposed to say? Nothing absolutely nothing. Is it? Then why waste the space, the time of typing or even for that matter reading. After all somewhere it adds up in the list of “Waste”.

Yes, that reminds me of the eccentric value that this word possesses.

Walking down the lanes of memory or even trying to plot the future we find or assume that more often than not we have “Wasted” or would “Waste” something or the other.

Lets peek into the past, if you would wish to. Common try hard, there has to be something which you had “Wasted”.... your “Time”, “Energy”,”Resource”,”Dedication”,”Devotion”,”Values”,”Food”,”Money”,”Relationship”,”Affection”,”Hope”,”Faith”,”Opportunities” etc. many of you would find few of the listed words to be vague or even out of place. And would ask yourself, is this guy a nerd, who wastes dedication, who wastes devotion, who wastes relationship, who wastes hope, who wastes faith? Everyone does! Surprised?

You dedicated yourself towards a goal, you devoted yourself towards it. If you achieved it, you bask in it. Isn't it? But what after that, another goal another aim, another milestone... are you re-utilizing your devotion or dedication?

“Relationship” and “affection”. Are the most wasted commodity in modern age. We rue the fact of not achieving a “happy forever” status in a relationship and move on. Hence a “Wasted relationship”. You hope that if my affection would have been directed towards someone else, I would have been better of.

A “wasted affection”!

Now “hope” and “faith” are the easiest commodities that get wasted. “Hope” never fails, so after every failure you hope of success. Therefore the previous hope was wasted isn't it? Same with faith.

Now, lets foretell the future. I can not. But by this time, you would have formulated what you could have “Waste”d already!

And in the lieu of not wasting things and the memory of the wasted things we waste our present.

We have always heard “Failures are the building pillars of success”. But with each failure something gets wasted. Isn't it. But, to be frank enough, anything we put in the sack called “wasted” is only due to our materialistic, result-oriented thoughts. And these are the process which in-turn wastes the future.

Out of the failure what lives is “Experience”.

What may have been “Waste”d has been always added into your system as “Experience”.

Hope you understand the meaning “Want not, Waste not” is purely materialistic!

Luv 'n' Luk

Arnab

The Meeting and the journey

2008-03-22T22:10:00.000+05:30

When we were kids. The introduction to the staircase of knowledge started with elementary or building blocks of the knowledge provider. Yes, the building blocks of the language, which was destined to become one of the mediums of our knowledge provider using books. Slowly we grabbed it. Then came adding them together to sound something different and most of the times funny. We were taught the different combinations and permutations of these alphabets can give rise to different meanings. They could also give rise to different sounds (phonetics). That was a rendezvous with a special friend, a friend for life, “Word”.

I found my friends when they are in groups give a meaning. They tell something to me. I started loving them as they always came to me in groups of tens, hundreds or thousands. They never left me alone. I grew up with them. And then the day came when I wanted them to be free, to see the world. So took up the channel between them and me, and started calling them one by one. And yes, they came and filled the place. Some were small, some were big, but they some how adjusted themselves together. And the world saw them and acknowledged them as being my first poem.

Somewhere I felt that especially the word “Creativity” is somewhere within me. This friend of mine wakes me out from the long slumbers of not meeting up with him. As, I visualize I feel somewhere, this friend of mine is associated with each and every other living homo sapiens. He is never an enemy with anyone.

But there are few words which fill the world in general and somewhere within us we find ourselves being associated or identifying with a bunch of them. “Ego”, “Love”, “Self-centric”, “Atheist”, “Compassionate”, “Wanderer”, “Perfectionist”, “Leader”, “Aggressive”, “Loyal” are just a few to name them. Now, you would have felt that these words did meet you in the path of your life. We picked some and kicked some.

Yes, words define us, refine us, sometimes they mesmerize us. Yet somewhere we do not value this friend who despite all odds stick with us in our thick and thin of life.

For few this very friend of ours is the bread earner. For some, it is a matter of life and death. But for me, they are my life line. For me, it is my connectivity to this world. The journey with my friend has not always been smooth. But matter of fact it has been steady. Unlike humans it did not leave me in times of need, it did not ask for my craving, it did not ask for my mercy. But simply it looked up to me and said, “I would be there….always….always in your mind!”

The journey has just started. And each and every day I make a few more friends, but it sometimes does become difficult to recollect all of them by name. Still trying my skill at it though! As someone said, “Learning never ends till you die”.

And from now, this medium would be one of the few where I would let my friends meet you all.

Thanks.

Luv ‘n’ Luk

Arnab