It Could Happen to Anyone

I have recently noticed that in TV serials, they always build up a character's happiness on the show, only to show him having passed away on the next episode. They show that he has improved as a person, and that everyone likes him. They show him at his peak, and that's it. The end.

When we watch such things, we always believe that it doesn't happen in real life, it's just a story.

But life too plays wicked games with us. I know of someone who was one of the happier people I have met. She came from a good family and although she had immense wealth, she was down to earth and had her values in place.

She was hit by a train yesterday, while on her way to meet her grandmother for her birthday. She really wanted to meet her (in her own words) "You never know what can happen, and I don't want to regret not meeting her". She never made it to her grandmother's place.

Like with all things I don't understand, I try to find the deeper reason why such a thing could happen to someone so non-deserving.

Standstill

I am here
Standing...
Waiting...
Watching...

Standing in my place
Waiting for the answers
Watching the world go by

I am here
Listening...
Looking...
Hoping...

Listening to the excuses
Looking for some solace
Hoping that someday I will get out of this rut

Why Strike?

About a week back, the taxis and rickshaws in Bombay had gone on strike. Why? Because the State Transport Authority ordered that all "25-year-old" taxis go off the roads by December 3rd 2008. Rickshaws followed suit because they feared that they would be next in line.

While I do not agree with their reason for a strike, I do understand their plight - they fear for their livelihood.

This article could have been solely about how they should either be given appropriate compensation or a chance to continue with new taxis, but the idea turned a complete 180° today morning. While trying to get to work, we approached 4 taxi drivers, asking them if they would go to Santacruz. None of them obliged. It seemed like they preferred to crowd together into one taxi and play cards, than to take the trouble of traveling anywhere.

So then I am forced to ask, "Why have a strike when you're not interested in working anyway?" Maybe it was just a clever way to take the day off.

Don't Worry...Be Happy

In every life we have some trouble
When you worry you make it double
Don't worry...be happy

-- Bobby McFerrin*

*thanks Kishan

Music Memories

Ever listened to a song and thought of that special someone? Well as of late, I've started listening to music on my way back home. And I've realized that every song I listen to reminds me of someone in my life.

There's a song that was supposed to be played when I entered the house on that special day.

There's a song that takes me back to my college days and reminds me of every small thing we did.

There's a song that reminds me of all my close friends who aren't geographically close to me anymore.

There's a song that reminds me of that perfect person for me (which I plan to play for my wedding)

There's a song that reminds me of that special person in my life.

There's a song that reminds me of a friend who told me that the song in mention reminded her of her ex-boyfriend.

There's a song that reminds me of my prom.

There's a song that reminds me that I have the greatest friends in the world.

There's a song that gives me hope in a brighter future.

And then there's that dysfunctional song that reminds me of the times that seem so far away and the people who are yet so close.

Google-d Generation

"I don't know what will happen to this generation!" That's what our parents said about us. Little did they know that their fears would mostly feature in the next generation.

It looked like yesterday's newspaper was a "kids" special, with news of children being associated with things that were previously only associated with adults.

Children are committing suicide over exam stress - yesterday it went as far as a 12-year old kid committing suicide after not being able to cope up with a test! But then again, this news isn't unheard of, and though people criticize it, there is mostly nothing they do when they are in the similar situation.

One very astonishing piece of news was that children as young as 11 and 13 were approaching doctors for plastic surgeries! Peer pressure has certainly reached its height! What's even more unbelievable is that there is a report wherein parents are actually encouraging this, because it will improve their child's performance, once they aren't bothered about their looks. Encouraging this idea could mean that parents could even go to the extent of encouraging their children to sleep around (just so that they do not have to face peer pressure!)

What was further reported was that children are more commonly using email and sms-ing language in their exam papers. Influence off chatting and messaging is actually taking a toll on the future generation. What's further influencing them is the media and advertisements. Marketing professionals will talk about the importance of branding and making your brand name known and remembered. Don't think they expected to achieve it to such an extent that children now start using those branded names instead of the actual, and I'm not talking about calling photocopying "xerox", but spelling quality as "Kwality" after the popular ice cream.

And here I find myself, much like our parents, yelling out to the young ones, "What will happen to your generation?"