Alcoholic Anomalies

Ah...a dream...!

Hope inspired me to write this post and I am grateful to her for reminding me about my uselessness. Well this is that much awaited post… today I have realized that I am discovering things that were hidden away in the closet of my brain since quite sometime…. like Ayn Rand, Shakespeare and now it has to be alcohol….

Well I am not the typical girly vodka drinker… infact I love whiskey, beer and wine the most… and I would do anything to have a sip of my favourite wine right now… grrr… call it boredom at work…! Phew!

Well here it goes….

• Whenever I am drinking with Cupid and my other friends, I tend to start laughing without any rhyme or reason and in no time I am rolling on the floor (literally..!)
• I tend to go online and I try to find my elf name and then keep rolling in laughter all the more
• I pretend to cook and my friends pretend to eat what I have cooked!
• I start counting the stars
• I run around in circles and behave I am running in Olympics
• I start writing some random ad campaign and start pretending that I am the next Leo Burnett or Ogilvy in making (I wish…!)
• I start drinking more water and then like everyone else, I keep going to the loo without any rhyme or reason… once I was found sleeping in the loo… actually I wasn’t sleeping… I had just passed out… thanks to those excess whiskey rampages that I went on…
• Once I had started singing on the top of my voice and in no time the donkeys were also braying along with me….!
• I started giving advices on people’s careers and start having heated debates on various topics of economics, law, current affairs and metaphysics… in short I make a complete ass of myself as I was nothing but the butt of every joke…
• I suddenly start adoring someone around me….I start uttering lines from various Shakespearean sonnets, pluck wild flowers and pull that person to dance with me around the trees (sometimes I think I have just tore the screen and come from some rundown Hollywood flick…!) all in all, I embarrass whoever the girl (!) or the guy is…
• I feel like swimming and I make a huge ruckus if I don’t get a chance to swim…! My friends actually run helter-skelter whenever I get those bouts of swimming…
• I pretend that I am not drunk and force people to give me more alcohol… and then fall flat on my face when I am unable to take more of it…
• I start to dance… (How could I forget that!!!?) And people around me get the heebie-jeebies as I tend to start dancing around them and force them to dance as well… I threaten to kill myself if they don’t dance with me….err… and at the end, we are a bunch of idiots who are dancing the night away…!
• If I happen to like a song during those liquid moments (!) then the song HAS to be played on loop till I don’t pass out… to cut a long story short I end up boring people and make them feel useless about their existence…!

But but but… I am always the heart of the party… for I surely know how to entertain my fellow mad-hatters with my randomly nonsensical antics…

I Salute…

 one of my favourite picture of the walls of Cafe Mondegar… the memories of those yesteryears still reverberate my soul… it is nothing but a tribute to the true spirit of Mumbai…

Letters…

Dear Farer,

Somewhere I don’t blame you for not feeling what I am going through cuz I guess you haven’t been passionate enough about any city like this and you are not staying close to the place which meant the world to me… those streets of Colaba will always bring a happy smile on my face first and then a hint of sadness as to what happened… cuz it was truly home to me… my spirit was free and i learnt the true meaning of independence over there and I have actually lived the best and the worst days of my life over there… Leopold’s is one place which has given me the best memories of my life and I am indebted to that place for the endless conversations and bonding I had with my friends… that was our haven…our place of solitude and our place of elation… all the six of us became amazing friends at that place…we have shared our tears and joys and cries and fears in that place and somehow it doesn’t feel the same anymore… I still remember those days when we have bunked our classes and got completely sloshed and gone back to the class and made complete fool of ourselves… I have nearly hundred pictures of my group when we were drinking and having the time of our life at Leopold’s and now it just doesn’t feel the same anymore… that day I have cried a lot as my heart bled.. Bled for those happy memories and those merry times… those people who lost their lives for they were not guilty of happiness but they happen to be at the right place which is known to have smiles and love all around but at the wrong time… Leopold’s is one place which thrives on people who want to live life to the fullest and it is the ideal destination for those who love life… and now it is nothing but a piece of dump and all we can find over there is smoke and tones of ashes all over… Taj is a monument of pride for anyone who has lived in that city… it is our answer to the world that we are old and rock solid and still going strong…and with the same vigour and momentum that a super-power should have… they have attacked nothing but our pride…our heritage and our glory… and that saddens me as somewhere I realize that I have loved that city more than I love my hometown Ahmedabad…. the people I know who have lost their lives were good people… and nowhere do they deserve such an untimely demise… but again I don’t blame you and I don’t expect you to understand… all I am asking you is not to be indifferent to the pain of others just cuz you don’t feel it… or know it… no one…and I repeat no one deserved this… so I guess the best thing is that you should let me lick my own wounds and recuperate for awhile as I have lost a lot of things….emotional peace…a city of hope and dreams and happy memories… its ok… just let me be alone for sometime… as I guess it has got nothing to do with you.. will get back to you when I have healed properly… till then take care and pray to God that nothing happens like this again…

 

Peace,

How?

How can one hug a city like Mumbai and pray to God that things will be alright?

How can one hug those thousand pieces of Mumbai and hope that they will all be together again?

How can one hug a monument like Taj and ask for forgiveness for the colossus did not sin at all?

How can one hug that burnt tapestry of Taj and tell people that the place will once again smell of hope and life again?

How can one hug the gargoyles of VT Station and tell those age old goths that tomorrow will be a better day?

How can one hug the exotic sepulchers of VT and tell them that those screams of terror will not echo amongst it again?

How can one hug the carefree ambience of Leopold’s and tell it that the sun will once again shine on its crowded yet cheerful arena?

How can one hug those long funnels of draught beer at Leopold’s and tell them that they will taste the same again?

How can one hug?

Revolt. Resurrect. Revel.

This is a forward that I got through a friend and I so endorse the thoughts of it. Its time we move our shiny asses and get our act together.

“Beware, the middle-class” it is said and rightly so. Look at history; most of the revolutions, right from French to American and our own independence, were won when the middle class cried, “enough!”

We think, the time has come to reclaim the country, which was won with the blood of our forefathers.

Frankly, the terrorists made the biggest mistake of their lives when they attacked Mumbai and gunned down innocent people. This carnage reminds us that we have to take things in own hands. When terrorists attacked the parliament, it was more a case of like taking on like.

But we draw the line when it comes to the common man. We have some suggestions that will help us in our endeavor for national freedom again.

First let’s vote out all present politicians. Get unknown, unconnected young people in.

Let’s have a casteless non-communal country. Young people because the terrorists are young and our politicians; halfway in the grave are a no match.

Second identify terrorist camps in Pakistan and force the Pakistanis to hold joint cleaning up operations. If they refuse, let them be exposed for what they are.

Third, let’s bring the dead and one living terrorist and hang them, upside down, at the Gateway to let them know that this is the only Jannat they will get.

Fourth, let’s warn the Indians who want to raise the boogeyman of religion, region or language, that they will be the next at Gateway, if they persist.

So, my friends, lets all of us unite and win our country all over again.

Can I not vote if I dont want?

Please read and act;
 
Did you know that there is a system in our constitution, as per the 1969 act, in section ” 49-O” that a person can go to the polling booth, confirm her / his identity, get her/his finger marked and convey the presiding election officer that she/he doesn’t want to vote anyone!

Yes such a feature is available, but obviously these leaders have never disclosed it.

This is called “49-O”.
Why should you go and say ” I VOTE NOBODY”… because, in a ward, if a candidate wins, say by 123 votes, and that particular ward has received “49-O” votes more than 123, then that polling will be cancelled and will have to be re-polled. Not only that, but the candidature of the contestants will be removed and they cannot contest the re-polling, since people had already expressed their decision on them.

This would bring fear into parties and hence look for genuine candidates for their parties for election. This would change the way; of our whole political system…. it is seemingly surprising why the election commission has not revealed such a feature to the public….

Please spread this news to as many as you know…Seems to be a wonderful weapon against corrupt parties in India … show your power, expressing your desire not to vote for anybody, is even more powerful than voting… so don’t miss your chance. So either vote, or vote not to vote (vote 49-O) and pass this info on…

Use your voting right for a better INDIA

1090

In case you come across any suspicious activity, any suspicious movement or have any information to tell to the Anti-Terror Squad, please take a
Note of the new ALL INDIA TOLL-FREE Terror Help-line “1090″.
 
Your city’s Police or Anti-Terror squad will take action as quickly as possible. Remember that this single number 1090 is valid all over India. This is a toll free number and can be dialed from mobile phones also. Moreover, the identity of the caller will be kept a secret.
Let us make each and every citizen of India aware about this facility.

Please send this to as many as you can…

Its time to wake up…

For the past few days, I have been numb. I have gone through much grief. I woke up that morning and heard about the terror attacks in the city- my city, and the first thing that came to my mind was a question- ‘Again?’

I just lay there unable to cry. Images of everyone I care about flashed in front of my eyes and somehow in my heart I knew that everyone was safe. Somehow, that understanding was not enough to calm me. I do not know if it was fear, but it was definitely hopelessness, helplessness, lots, and lots of anger.

I constantly thought of how I am so helpless. I am 25 years old, am I not big enough to do something. For how long am I going to look at other people to get moving? For how long am I going to be ‘not responsible’?

Not for long.

These are a few ideas I have collated, which we all can do. It does not require much of efforts, energy or anything. So here they go.

1. Vote: It is true power. It is how we ‘talk’ to our politicians. Threaten them; blackmail them, with your vote. That is what they want; make them deserve your vote. Get registered. Do what it takes- it is not much. Log onto to www.jaagore.com. I do not know how it goes, I am not advertising it, but it is youth centric. Do it whichever way you want, but do it. Now.

2. Do not tolerate incompetence: If they cannot, they should not. When they have decided to take care of a billion people, they had better be serious about it.

3. Express yourself: Write to newspapers, send SMSes to news channels, write to magazines, start a blog, comment on blogs, send emails (not spam), sign online petitions, send mails to your friends, generate discussion, but make yourself heard. Even if your SMS is full of anger, hit the send button, it will be carried, the anchors will say, “we are getting a lot of angry messages from our viewers” You will be counted. Question divisive politics. If a political party uses such situations to advertise themselves, write to the newspapers ask them why they carried the ad.

4. Encourage: We all think we know what is best. Some of our authorities are doing their best. Encourage them. The last few days, our commandoes, the army, navy, the firefighters, our officers and hundreds of others have done an excellent job, and I mean it. Thank them. (Thank you!)

5. Have an opinion: Ignorance is bliss. In some cases. Not here. Form an opinion. Listen to people. Attend public lectures (they are free), read the newspapers. Some people speak sense- listen to them. I would listen to Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, Narayana Murthy, Teesta Setalvad, Soli Sorabjee, Farah Baria, Shailaja Bajpai, Adi Pocha and some others. Choose who you want to listen to. Evaluate, analyze, and then accept their views.

6. Execute: You have ideas? That is great. I have a few too. There is no dearth of ideas, but there is nobody to implement them. So how do we do that? Join an NGO. Find a credible NGO who has the same value system as yours. This could be related to anything. Find a cause, support it- it could be child welfare, education, empowerment, poverty, good governance, but do something about your beliefs. You have a job, a family and no time. Ask yourself is that really it?

7. Heal yourself: Yes, you are grieving. You are waiting for it all to end. Heal yourself. Meet friends, talk to them, go out, have coffee, listen to music, write, jog, read, run, walk, switch off the TV- take a break from the news, switch it on watch something fun. Smile, pray, meditate. Again, heal yourself.

8. Do not be callous: You do not travel by train? You do not dine at five star hotels? You do not live in the suburbs or you do not live downtown? It does not matter to you? Thank God, you escaped this time. No. Cause somebody else did not. Fight for them. On 26 November 2008, they changed everything. They just made us realize that we are all at risk. We are all equal. 

9. Do not be immune:  Bombay unbreakable? Say no. If you cried, if you went numb, if you were scared, if you were affected, you were not unbreakable. You broke- Bombay broke. You are Bombay. Cry, weep, shout, flinch, and cringe every time it happens. We are not zombies. We feel.

10. Watch Movies: Go to the theatres get the cash registers ringing. Watch movies with a message. Do not download it and watch it free. Make the movies with a cause successful. Let the makers know that you will reward them every time they have respected your intelligence.

11. Do not forget: That is what everybody is waiting for, for you to forget. Public memory is too short, that is what they bank on. Demand answers, ask for stricter laws, and ask for equality before law. Overcome the grief, but do not forget it.

12. Read the Constitution: It is the longest and most detailed constitution in the world, so what? At least know what your preamble states, what your fundamental rights and duties are. Follow them. No I will not paste them here, do not wait to be spoon-fed; it is high time you take initiative, do it yourself.

13. Do not get swayed by emotions: Calm down and then act.

14. Do not crack jokes: on terrorism. If somebody else does, politely refuse to laugh. Be sensitive.

15. Do not; I repeat, DO NOT forget point 11. This emphasis is not for amusement, it is what it is. An emphasis.

16. Donate Blood: For those who can, please go donate blood. There are over 350 people in the city who need your blood. It is safe.. Go donate blood.

Add a few points out here of your own; get thinking and get your act together. Let us make a difference, I mean, really…make a difference…

Love, hope and prayers,

 
Vi

The ruins of my dreams…

I will never ever be in a position to walk on the streets of dazzling streets of Colaba and NOT duck whenever a car breezes past me…

The city that made me, taught me how to dream, taught me to be me will never ever be the same anymore…

The happiness I felt has turned to terror and tears and it will make me watch my back whenever I would take that lazy stroll near Nariman Point…

The pain and anguish is there to stay in heart for I have heard the silent cries of many people…

The disgust will never die away as I watch the ruins of my beloved city over and over again…

I wish there was an answer…

I wish there was a reason…

I wish there was…

I wish…

I…

Never at a loss of words…

The Glory

The Pain

This is the second day when I’ve woken up with a smirk for people who show me the same expression at India’s plight at present. 

The international news channels keep on repeating that Indian intelligence has failed and the way things are being handled is ‘fascinating stuff’. The news readers are literally chuckling while saying that the states of India do not get along well and do not have coordinated security measures…

 
Well India does have limitations. But where was the intelligence in these parts of the world when 9/11 took place? Has there been no terrorist attack in UK, Europe or any other part of the world ever? Why are these people pointing fingers and seem to be driving pleasure out of India’s pain? Australia and Singapore have already officially warned their travelers not to go to India for the possible terrorist activities. As if…

 
Anywhere in the world is not safe if you look at it that way. And some people have still gone to work on Thursday and are working on Friday in Mumbai too. This can not be taken lying down with that eternal ‘life goes on’ sentiment. Other countries and their mothers can not just send in regrets and supports and smirk because India is a safe target of these terrorists…

 
The problem is, everyone is busy driving conclusion right from the top politicians to journo’s while a common man just loses some friends or our family members feel scared once in a while when these attacks happen.

 
I read headlines like ‘Mumbai attacks are the first challenge for Obama’…ha! Have these people forgotten that he is not the president or prime minister of India? They fetch Deepak Chopra on TV to comment on what? And this brave lady journo from India wants to shout and has put it in everyone’s mouth that ‘This seems to be India’s 9/11′?

 
Has India suffered less in the past? Especially in past one year with so many attacks on so many cities that we had to wait for something bigger happen to us to call it 9/11? Why are we running around to seek jolts to wake up? If all the terrorist casualties and damages counted in past few years that India has sleep walked through…doesn’t it all surpass 9/11?

 
My mind is wandering into all directions. But the thought that tops all of it right now, we need solutions and not random conclusions. India is as safe as anywhere else in the world at present. India’s future is still in the healthy, able, strong, thoughtful hands of those Indians who would work day and night to still keep India to be the country that has tremendous potential, man power and intelligence – it just falls flat once in a while when some religious fanatics crowd it, like rest of the world… It is just one corner of India that has taken the hit right now, and this time Mumbai has to be back with a vengeance. It is glamorous to call it India’s heart, financial capitol, nerve system or whatever; it is not the only place in India either…

 
…and if you fear that while visiting or living in India means living in fear of a terrorist attack, travelers and investors are smart enough to know that it could just happen anywhere in the world…or so do I hope…

so stay calm, and come back with a bang…for these incidents are not meant to be forgotten…probably we might not trust the friendly cab driver or the street hawker at Colaba anymore but we will surely see a better day…a better tomorrow and Mumbai will again be the city of dreams again…