The Girl in the Red Tweed Jacket

You could have waited.

I knew you would take the No. 19, but it was not on purpose that I avoided it. Its too far to walk, and it was raining. I don't like to walk in this cold rain. I had told you so.
I did it before because I enjoyed your company. When you walked down the pavement to say good bye, I would hold you in my arms.
You left me at the door the last evening, saying your shoes would get wet. It was a long walk home in those wet shoes of mine!

I don't remember your name, nor do I recollect your face. You always wore the red tweed jacket, and I always had that same hat on mine! I don't know what you do; we always had so many other things to talk! The best of the people and the worst of the weathers!
 
I know I will see you again some day, But I won't be waiting for you this time. You know I won't take the 19 again, So hop on the bus that goes along the coast of river Clyde! 

Dying Young

Someone asked me, "If you had the choice, how would you like to Die?"
And I told him, "I would like to die young."

I would like to die young when I still have the power to dream, and not know that these dreams will be shattered by harsh realities...

I would like to die young when I still have the power to Love, and not know that the love will be labour lost in vain...

I would like to die young when I still have the power of faith, and not know the hypocrisy of the Religion... 

I would like to die young when I still have the power of enthusiasm, and not be bogged down by the mundane and monotonous life...

I would like to die young when I still believe in miracles, and not look at them as tricks of the trade...

I would like to die young, as Life would still have a lot of value for me...!

Samundri Galibh....

Kehte hai ke samundar ke beech main
                  Khuda dekhta nahi....
Woh Na-Khuda ban jaate hai,
                  Jo zameen par dikhte nahi....

Par mujhe yeh bata aye dost,
                 Apna wajood hai kyaa...?
Ke kya hum khud se chupte hai,
                Ya zamane ko dikhte nahi....?

An open letter to Mr. Ratan Tata.

Dear Mr. Ratan Tata,
     I love the Nano.
I have never driven it, because I do not know how to drive.
But I still love the car. I love it for what it represents. For the idea, the dream and the purpose it serves.
In a world where brands have driven up costs and prices in their search for excellence; you have acted to remind the manufacturing world of its duties and responsibilities.
You have shown that corporations have a social responsibility to cater to the masses. The common man does not have a lot of money; and you most likely cannot create great profits by making products for him. But you can, and you did, make it easier for him to fulfill his dream of owning a car. An old clerk, a pensioner, a family man with meager resources... they will all be happy now that their dream of owning a car is within their reach! An old man with weak joints, a lady with back problems will find it easier to travel.
To me the Nano is a representation of what the industrialists should be striving for! To manufacture products and provide services that are accessible and can benefit the society at large.
These are values that form the legacies of great industrial houses.
Thank you for reminding us of them.
Thank you for introducing the Nano.

Growing Old at Sea...

Moons waxed and waned, the lilacs bloomed and died,

In the broad Sea ebbed and flowed the tide,

Ships went to sea, and ships came home from sea,

And the slow years sailed by and ceased to be







The clock of life is wound but once,

and no man has the power to tell

just when the hands will stop,

at late or early hour.

Now is the only time you own.

Live, love, toil with a will.

Place no faith in time.

For the clock may soon be still.

Blue...

Neela hai yeh ambar,
Neeli jheel aur neela paani;
               
Neeli hai tumhaari aankhen,
Neela hai in aankhon ka paani...

Samundar se gehri tumhaari aankhen,
In aankhon se kyu beh raha hai paani...?

Is samundar main pyaar bhara hai,
Wafa bhi hai; Iqraar bhi...

Is toofaan main krodh bhi hai,
Dard bhi hai, Fariyaad bhi...

Naav jho phasi hai toofaan main,
Is main manjhi ka hai dosh kyaa...?

Toot gaye hai saare bandhan,
Zamane ka woh zor thaa...

Bichad gaye do sacche premi,
Is main dilwalon ka dosh kyaa...?

Religion...

For a long time I have avoided talking or expressing my views on religion on this blog. There is a reason for it. I believe that religion is not the only element that defines a person. It is more the upbringing and the values that are inculcated within you. If your heart is in the right place, you are a good human being, it doesn’t matter what religion you follow. I prefer knowing people from what they do, and why; what do they think and how do they respond to others; rather than asking which mosque or church do they belong to.
I would prefer that people know me for the person I am, and still choose to be in my company rather than simply take a liking for an Indian in town. I would prefer to be introduced as the person I am, recognized for the work I have done, talked of for my achievements rather than being introduced by the religion I follow!
I agree that religion when practiced in the right perspective makes one a better person. But in society, it is difficult to find such a person. Personally, there are so many things lacking in myself, that to be introduced as a Muslim and to be seen as an example of what a Muslim is; is simply not fair! Look at me like a normal human being. Accept my faults as that of a mortal; praise my strengths as achievements. Accept me as a human not too different; with feelings, emotions and needs just like you; though from a different country and a different religion!
Let us all have a good friendship, beautiful memories and experiences.
If you really want to know; then I can explain by borrowing from the LifeBook of a famous friend, who once said; 'When I do good, I feel good. When I do bad, I feel bad. That, my friends, is my religion'.

Thank you all...

I am proud to say that my blog has hit 500 views! :)

Thank you all for taking the time to read, and the few who were keen to comment; it is really appreciated.

Hope to post more soon...!

So Keep looking! :)

A Brazilian Friendship

It is a strange relationship.
Is it a friendship? Is it compassion? Or just plain kind genuine courtesy and help?
It all begins on the day of joining the vessel. An Indian joining a Brazilian vessel. A non-Portuguese speaking Indian joining a non-English speaking Brazilian vessel.
All except one.
A pretty and inquisitive girl who seemed enthralled at the idea of having a chance to interact with an Indian. A blessing in disguise, she speaks good English as well!
This is how began ‘The Brazilian Friendship’.
For she was the only one I could speak to, she would be my translator when it came to communication with the Captain, when I would stare blankly at peoples faces, she would initiate a conversation in English just to keep me involved. Chipping in with information as to who was saying what, translating my chats for the others and vice-versa, I think trying to know as much as her wisdom allowed. For a while I felt as if she was the only friend I had around here; Solving my problems, registering my phone connection, and most of the times simply giving a patient ear to most of what I had to say!
This is where the interactions get complicated. Usually friendships grow in both ways… Both persons have a desire to interact with each other, share ideas, thoughts and activities… In the true meaning of the word, I wonder if we can call our relationship as a friendship! And yet she is the person closest to me on board the ship.
On introspection I feel like a parasite. For I have an imminent need of her companionship for matters as small as translating an SMS to getting word across to a co-worker trying to figure out just what is happening around me! Of course she is kind hearted and good natured enough to never complain. In fact she is gracious enough to acknowledge that if I would not talk to her, then there would be no one I could talk to! Sounds pathetic I know, But that’s the point of writing blogs and diaries… right? At times when you cannot speak your mind, you write it down! ‘Get it out of the system’ as some people call it.
I usually prefer to keep relationships in a balance. If someone does me a favour, I strive to return the same and keep a status quo at most times. It makes me feel more comfortable and free of gratitude in interactions, perhaps makes me friendlier (If I could ever be friendly!!!) [and if friendlier is ever even a word!]. The fact that I practically have no clue as to how to reciprocate to her in words and deeds makes me feel like a dim wit moron. And I am sure that it would be showing at least in part what I feel (Read: I appear to be a moron when interacting with her).
I guess this is the whole point of writing this post! ‘It’s a different culture from where you come from’ this I have heard people say! So in the culture of the place where I am, how do I respond to appear friendly, and less of a slow moving parasitic moron? Suggestions and opinions are welcome.

Before you say it; here is a footnote: I react in a way I believe to be proper, and a manner which is natural for me. However the air of discomfort at times troubles me enough to pen in my thoughts and get an outsiders opinion of it.