Thumbs Up

When you have the ability and sustenance to prevail but you refuse to take that one single step, it’s called circumstantial reluctance.

When you have all the dimes and pennies in this world, you vent for the riches. When you have the dollars and pounds, you miss your dimes. That is so human.

When you have the banks to keep all your treasures of life, you prefer to keep your dreams in your pockets. You pockets are easier to access when dreams come true.

We want more and more of everything in life, but we possess less of everything that is required to achieve the more. Get ready and be authentic, all the more is yours.

Best of Me

‘Am I the best’ is a question I often ask myself.
Brutally, the answer is yes. Confidence, yes. Arrogance, no. Well, a bit of it actually.
‘Best’ is usually the most used and most abusively used word around.
Gives you this feeling of anonymity in the vicinity of giants twittering around the epicenter.
Yes, I am the best.

What indeed is the best of you? You the human being, you the professional, you the conscious dweller or you the outsider in a world of conniving emotions?
Yes, the best in you is a segmented potion of your bilingual buckets. You live in each of them, in moods and shapes.
People around you see the segments in you, they don’t see you. They will never see you unless you show the face of it. But is it that important? Is that a milestone?
You are the biggest asset in your life because you believe you are. Yes, tell this to yourself, everyday, every time. People who want to see you, they get to see you. Not outside but within. You are visibly hidden and secretly adrift.

We are impostors of our own self. We decide to have different personalities in various spheres of our society. Yes, it demands so.
No, not pretentious but the ability to not showcase the real you to all is a skill. You don’t inherit but you develop the nuances of it as you grow.
Growth. Yes, we want to grow but sometimes, growth needs to be refined to understand the science of evolving.

Are we predators? No. Second thoughts, yes.
Predators of a different kind. We are intellectual predators.
We hunt opportunities, search avenues, build relationships and develop a clan within enhanced parameters of our dimensions. Parameters change, but evolution doesn’t.
Yes, I am the best.

Conquer others? No. Rulers conquer, leaders become examples by practice.
Gather respect? Yes, a gradual process though as intangibles consume time and ability.
Buy love? Yes, not platonic but through mutual understanding and admiration for each other.
Excel? Yes, but not on the rampage.

Yes, I am the best.

Neighbourhood Dhaba

The news of ‘The Dhaba’ in Ballygunge Phari closing down came as a shocker to us. I really felt an era has come to an end.

We used to live in Ballygunge Circular Road in the 90s and we visited the Dhaba quite regularly. It was our favourite neighbourhood Dhaba. As kids, I remember pouncing on those Butter Nans and Malai Kofta. Yummy and delicious they were! Friendly staff and quality food was home to this extremely popular south Calcutta restaurant.

30 years down the line, we still love visiting the Dhaba. My parents don’t live here anymore and I live in Newtown with my family. Whenever they visit Calcutta, we make it a point to have lunch or dinner at the Dhaba – it was our family destination and the fondness appears to have extended beyond generations. In fact, it still remains my dad’s most revered restaurant in Calcutta.

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We visited the Dhaba on 24 Jan 16. That was the day my son was born and we celebrated by having lunch. The restaurant has an unique attachment to my family, in a way that we have spent some special moments of our life in the restaurant. Our last visit to ‘The Dhaba’ was on 8 May 16.

When I read this article today, first thing I did was call my dad and tell him that his dear foodie destination has closed down. He was terribly disappointed and exclaimed that we will have a tough time to figure out our next food destination during his next visit to Calcutta.

I second his thoughts. ‘The Dhaba’ will be sorely missed.

Fan – I ain’t one

My apprehension turns in to an insomniac, ballistic version when I talk about SRK films. But ‘Fan’ is a different experience altogether. It brings together a gamut of emotions that sway across as I watched the film – the newcomer, the emerging star, the human being, the superstar, King Khan. Well, yes. Life does come full circle.

‘Fan’ is not an untold story, but it does have its moments of revelation. It isn’t a tribute to a star, it depicts the flip side of being a star. It doesn’t show the star as a great human being, it shows that stars are human beings and are flawed components of a genius box that has all kinds of apples – good, mediocre, bad. We see the good side, admire the bright side but the other aspects of a star are largely and consciously ignored. Yes, fans are crazy people and defy conventions. Their forte is madness and strength is unsurpassable madness.

This fan is no different. He is completely, totally obsessed, consumed, and provocatively immersed in a sea of juggernaut that has no semblance of the star in itself. He copies him, he emulates him, he becomes him. His identity is the price he pays for his adulation of the star and he is ardently proud for cannibalizing his own personality to prove just one point – that he is the biggest and undisputed fan of the star.

Fans are usually preciously sensible people but their common sense is seldom found. They have this insatiable urge to mutilate everything in their lives to epitomize their star and they come to believe that they are the only ones with such unblemished desires. Few, place themselves in a niche radar, and couple of more strictly believe that the admiration is mutual. By all means, trouble starts here. The ‘Fan’ here falls in this category of vendetta. His admiration has no break even point, and all hell breaks loose when he realizes that his ‘God’ has way too many followers to look at and he only has time to wave his hands across and blow insurmountable kisses to all those crazy people who come to wish him ‘Happy Birthday’. Apparently, that’s about it. ‘It’s my life, why should I even devote 5 seconds to you’ is a statement that ended ‘Fan’s’ meteoric 25 years of devotion and palpable affection. His world is upside down and ends in bout of frenzy calm. Rest is, usual events of inflicting pain and anguish. In fact, ironically, the story of ‘Fan’ ends here.

The star drastically comes to realize that he is the very reason for his fan to be alive. His life, his cyber cafe, his one-sided love story, his parents, his yearly stage show  – all were byproducts of his deep rooted obsession and love for the star. Quite aptly and painfully, he calls himself as his ‘Junior’.

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The star’s character is sketched with grey orientations. The scene wherein the Indian Embassy doesn’t have kind words for the star is an agonising moment wherein his god like image is dubiously contrasting to his persona as a human being, who here is depicted as filthy and an ass. I strictly believe it is intentional – I do not take it that stars are good human beings but the vice versa could be equally daunting and true. Apparently, this sketch of the star makes the ‘Fan’ even more endearing and deserves all the sympathy of the audience despite he being grossly unfair to his ‘Senior’.

‘Fan’ is scripted, conceptualized and enacted for Shahrukh Khan. For once, I must say that this will go down as one of his talismanic and courageous performances. He is brilliant as the ‘Fan’ – charming, notorious, nonsense, fearless, rampant. He is all soul and energy in his fan avatar and is spectacularly watchable as an actor, which could otherwise be deemed as another run-of-the-mill flick. For playing the ‘star’, which comes naturally to him, isn’t a surprise but the grey edges showcased through his character is a stunner. Not every star can demean themselves, even if they deserve it (which is hugely circumspect). So, lets leave it here as of now. SRK will go down as the winner, both as the ‘Fan’ and the star.

‘Rehene de, tu nahin samjhega’. – @Fan.

monday haters

yes, we hate monday. gosh, why do mondays come at all?
good question – but think, can we survive without a monday? no, seriously, think.

if there is no monday, there will be no tuesday, wednesday and so on.
take monday out of the week, rest of the days will lose their sheen.
we have a monday, that’s reason enough why sunday is the most loved day.
monday is the reason to live, dream, fantasize, contemplate, introspect.

if monday is a holiday, tuesday becomes monday and thus begins the overlap.
the ecosystem goes for a toss if there is no monday.
monday is the predator of our lives, we live because monday exists. we hope because we have a monday. we plan on a monday. we conceptualize on monday.

monday is the most susceptible and most powerful.
give it a skip and your momentum for the week is lost. week is defined by monday.
monday is glimmer of opportunities for those waiting in the wings.
you miss monday, you miss a gallon of propositions.

monday is the beginning of your future.
stock markets, hospitality, education – all thrive for monday.
monday is the start, you can’t stop if you don’t start.
monday is your key to success.
monday is everything.

my monday is fab, how’s you?

the portugal moment

Not sure why, but Portugal victory is the fairy tale story of Euro 16. Minus Ronaldo, the team showed you can still be magic on field. Maiden Euro, getting better of France in 41 years is crazy. #till2020

enjoying grass

Brilliant return of serves, exquisite passing shots and the consistent control. Murray on his way to his second but heart with Raonic. Still. #wimbledon2016

watchlist

Specialist – Restrained Stallone, overtly Sharon Stone.

Freelancer – I am. Empowered.

Euro Finals – Portugal

Wimbledon – ah, let’s see.

Misc+ – Something always comes up.

@#crashcourse

inbox today

My outlook inbox number was showing ‘1994’ today. I took a deep 10 second look at it and was quickly reminiscent of how life was, way back in 1994. These are few of what I remember – vaguely and hazily as I swept past nostalgia.

As any teenager, I was equally inquisitive, confused and overtly ambitious. Rounding off, I was as crazy as you were.

I wasn’t the era of IoT then, so life was simple with DD, brick games and lots of school friends. Then it wasn’t about being desirable, you had those friends. Period.

Watching a movie in theatre, eating out with dad’s money and wooing girls was the happening mantra then. You were judged by number of girlfriends you had and the swanky look you possessed. School rivalries were huge – as big as battle of plassey.

I was, in general terms, brilliant, non academically. Sports and Cinema were my steal breathers and I loved immersing myself in to intracacies. Not periodically, all the time. Sachin scored his first ODI century against the aussies and Sampras was reigning supreme. And I remember Dunga’s Brazil lifting the WC as Roberto Baggio’s penalty kick went berserk. Aamir and Salman were still young, emerging stars and their movies released in standard format of 4 shows a day in theatres and an iconic 70 mm screen. Jurassic Park was a rage and still running to packed houses. Dollar exchange rate was hovering around 31 rupees and the concept of inflation was still an alien concept to innocent minds.

The apartment we lived in, I went on to live there for 13 years. Neighbourhood, stores, flats, acquaintances, school, buddies, vegetable vendors. I was the king of the jungle.

trending

Football is a game of legs and toes. Legs are skill, skill is talent, talent is attitude.
The fulfillment of putting the ball in to a rectangular netted box with the zeal to achieve, passion to excel and thrill to entertain is at a mercurial level for 11 fierce individuals. @msksmiles

Disparity of Roots

Once upon a time, in the long lost world of happiness, anguish and chaos, there lived 2 individuals who were raised and bred together. Yet, so gorgeously different.

Angel was a shy, submissive, reluctant girl who had her choices defined by her parents. She was extremely adorable and loved by all around her. It was imperative that she was the darling of her household and she receives the best in life from her equally caring parents though they are moderately employed. But they were a friendly couple and very helpful, hence they also drew considerable amount of respect from people around their neighbourhood.

Disturb was Angel’s neighbour and her best friend. Their parents were former colleagues and that gave both an opportunity to share a large part of their childhood together. They even went to the same school and shared their lunch boxes with each other. But Disturb was an arrogant boy. He often has tussles with local guys and is prone to fall in trouble. There have been instances when Angel has come to his rescue but that doesn’t stop him from messing around. Disturb’s father is a reputed businessman and is known name in around their place. That gives an edge to Disturb as he takes advantage of his father’s social reputation and gets away with his pranks.

Time flew, and the bonding between Angel and Disturb developed. Nothing platonic about the relationship but both had immense love and respect for each other. Yes, Angel disapproved his behaviour and attitude in an otherwise mutual relationship. As teenagers, Angel often guarded Disturb when he invited trouble and took the blame on her on number of occasions. But, such acts only intensified Disturb’s menacing character as he grew up to be a rude and indisciplined individual. He had the support of his father, who was less of a parent and more of a businessman who was ready to compensate any situation with money. This impressed Disturb but Angel quietly criticised it as she was bought up in a completely different household whose ecosystems where massively apart.

One fine morning, Angel’s father dies in an accident while commuting to work. Angel’s world turns upside down as she and her mother struggle to cope up with the sudden demise of their sole bread winner. Angel decides to work as that’s the only way out for their lives to redeem themselves out of this situation. Disturb does provide Angel with emotional support but he is too insensitive to come out of his lurch and think of providing some financial assistance to Angel and her family. But, Angel has no expectation from Disturb and his family.

Angel slowly takes the reins of her family on her shoulders, and gradually sets on her foot to stabilise the family situation. She also grows up to become a beautiful and pretty lady who is equally charming and kind. The discipline inculcated in her by her Father is something that caters to her rescue and she aptly adapts to the changing conditions around her. Disturb is completely immersed in his exploits and regarded as one of the mighty goons in the neighbourhood. He starts indulging in drugs, bad company, nocturnal activities and a set of paltry, opportunist friends who tag along for his Father’s money. His Father continues to bail Disturb out of nasty situations but gradually realises that he has a big stake in Disturb’s upbringing – hence the consequences but Disturb has now gone beyond his control.

In her workplace, Angel starts to flourish and is doing well for herself. She gets a promotion and a raise. She is going around steady with one of her colleagues, with whom she shares a special bond and both of them are quite fond of each other. Meanwhile, her relationship with Disturb cannot be termed as strained but certainly has distanced. Angel, for her part, has tried hard to get Disturb on the right track but his seminal instincts have had little or no inclinations towards Angel’s concerns for him as a human being alone, if not for anything else. They keep in touch, rather, Angel calls him once in a while to check if he is okay. His responses are usually rugged and minimal but Angel is by far the only person he responds or reacts to. His relationship with his Father is going the downtrodden way as he hardly lives with him and stays outdoors most of the week. In fact, it has come down to the point where Disturb’s father occasionally calls Angel to check if his son is doing okay. All this does pain Angel but she realises that she has done her bit and Disturb’s equilibrium lies in something else.

Angel’s mother passes away after a brief illness and this leaves Angel devastated. Her only source of inspiration and motivation has been her mother, who ensured that Angel lived a good life despite early setbacks in their lives. Angel decides to move out of her current residence, and she moves in with her boyfriend. Couple of months later, she comes to hear from common friends that Disturb has been arrested with charges of murder and conspiracy. She immediately calls his father as she is not sure if he is aware of Disturb’s plight. There is no response from him. She rushes to the police station but she is not allowed to meet Disturb in custody.

After few days, she gets the news that Disturb’s father is absconding and his business associates have no clue of what happened to him. It appears that they have not met him for few months and after Disturb’s arrest, the phone calls have stopped coming through. Police suspect that his disappearance and Disturb’s arrested might be connected. They are investigating the case as they feel there is more to it than what meets the eye. Disturb is still in judicial custody.

Angel is shocked and perturbed. With stories and rumours afloat, she is trying to comprehend the situation but feels all the more sorry for Disturb but she is helpless. She continues to live with her boyfriend in his apartment.

thought for the day

There is this predicament about human nature. You appear kind, concerned and interactive, you are labelled as an ‘Intruder’. When you are aloof, selfish and less-forthcoming, you are touted as ‘Self Obsessed’. Mix of both is difficult to find but a viable proposition. Independently, these attributes will cater to a specific set of audience and you will be the darling of select masses.
But, my point is more radical. Am I not the single biggest reason for people to adore and admire? Yes, am in love with myself, the sole reason for others to fall in love with me.