My Trysts With Life

Cricket Team, Fifth.....Team for Quiz Competition, Third.....Academically, Seventh......Welcome to the world of an Average Student, or the "Averagers" as I call. Let me tell you about a different breed of people, whom everyone knows about, who is around nearly everyone. You know they exist, but like any myth, people don't accept their existence, until they have met one. Welcome to the world of the Averagers...They are basically good people, with an aim of doing something in life. They work hard, the study hard, they give their best shot at everything they are involved in. Looking from an Employer's perspective, they are the best recruits, "the go to people". Problem is, in the end, there is always that someone with the oomph factor...with that extra brain, with that extra talent, with that extra luck, who gets in the way of our hero. What happens then?? The Averager gets depressed, feels down and out. Things seem like hell, and everyone    looks like

“Of Dubai and the Ways” My bags packed, my mother in tears, I boarded the flight to Dubai, for a one year stint in the Dual Country Program of IMT, Ghaziabad. A bit apprehensive about the journey, about the rules (mind you too many) and of course, actually residing there. Dubai, well, is majestic, (as projected). Fast cars, awesome buildings, awesome people, and of course, high living, are typical of Dubai. It’s actually very simple here- spend some AEDs, and you can enjoy life. The Government is cool, once a while a Sheikh overlord gets all overjoyed, and cancels all the loans. Moreover, for the gizmo freaks, there are umpteen discounts (compared to your country), a GITEX (gizmo trade show) that hands out free iPads, air conditioned buses, and even air conditioned bus stops!! For a young man, Dubai has nearly everything, from jobs (yup a bit difficult now), to cars, even blonds. But if you a sentimentalist like me (maybe a mentalist like me), something is amiss. Do

The cook was ready, so was the tent and electrical fellow. The chairs had been arranged, tables and snacks all in place. Guests had started filling in, dressed aptly for the occasion. nope, it was not the setup for a wedding , or a reception...not even a birthday. My cousin's father had passed away( my maternal uncle), and this "great fiesta" was being prepared for his sending off. Indian sending off is itself a big business now, aided and abated by the mindset of our oh-so-very  sophisticated people.  the typical procession starts from the D-day, and commences on the thirteenth day. The days are packed with sarcasm from relatives, about the arrangements, about the food not being good, comparision with other peoples' "parties!!", and then finally, a little bit of tears, a little bit of sorrow. Well the lunch began, with people hoarding themselves up, as if they had not eaten for years. I was serving, and was astonished to see the demands of the people.