'Six Suspects'

To help a friend for a project about how great this nation of Bharat was, is and still can be in future, I was searching for some images about India when I fell into a deep, dark and stinking gorge of a blog about India which contained nothing positive but only filth, sorrow, suffering, poverty, crime, backwardness, uncertainty, insecurities, evils, fears, hate and venom for India. That person titled "Zillion reasons to escape from India" to his/her blog and has totally dedicated his life to magnify every evil of India in his words. Spending very few minutes on those pages literally were like spending that much time in a hell for me. These are the people who can never find a tiny good thing about their country or could lift a finger to rectify a problem but would do their best to bring that weakness in front of the lousy spectators of entire world with the royal bash of orchestration. I don't know what do these people gain from such shameless self exposure but certainly few people do make money out of it and one of them is Mr. Vikas Swarup.

Six Suspects by Vikas Swarup is not very different from his 'very famous' novel Q&A. This Q&A is the same novel which gave a very proud new name to Indians, that is "Slumdog". I agree that every creative writer, poet or artist always tries to bring untouched, unseen and under the current subjects to his or her creativity but according to my knowledge Swarup has written only two novels and both are about the so called pathetic state of India. I think he have learnt the mantra of selling in global market where movies like Lagaan loses the rat race of Oscar and movies like Slumdog Millionaire bags all the awards.

Six Suspects is a twisted story of Jassica Lal murder case where accused is a spoiled son of a wealthy corrupt politician and both father son duo manipulates law accordingly to their will and gain. That son "Vicky Rai" in this story is murdered in the celebration party of his acquittal from this murder and police arrest six persons from the party under suspicion. These six suspects include, a leading Indian actress who is cheated by her cousin, an American who is cheated by an Indian, a tribal who's tribe is cheated by their welfare officer, a retired diplomat who cheated his wife and then is now cheated by his keep, a slumdog youth who was cheated by his luck all his life and finally that corrupt politician who kept cheating innocent people till now and was cheated by his own son in the end. So the whole story is about corruption, deceit and backstabbing which obviously prevail ONLY in India and ONLY things which prevail in India according these kind of writers. Mr. Vikas Swarup is an Indian diplomat in Indian Foreign Services and I think he cannot serve India better than what he has done by his writings to paint Indian picture in front of this globe.

Some very highly educated, open minded, global viewing and let's-face-the-fact attitude people may stand with their views of justifying such 'bold' topics but I would prefer to stay illiterate than to enjoy and applause such indiscriminate oeuvre about my country which is not entirely true.

Afterthoughts of Aftermath !

No, I am not scared, I am not afraid of those terrorists or their unexpected bomb blasts. But yes, I am angry, I am very very furious .

Since 26th November midnight I kept glued to my TV, switching to different news channels, watching shamefully that blood boiling act of Jihadis. I saw those young terrorists roaming around in railway station and those who were in police van firing indiscriminately at Indians. I listened to one terrorist who called up a news channel and kept repeating his motives and motivations. I did not want to listen him, but I did, I wanted to snatch his words and gave him fitting reply but I couldn't. I wanted to crush him under my heel but I couldn't. I shamefully saw the fire in Taj, blasts in Trident, cries of various people trapped in the situation for long sixty hours. I am so ashamed that I could do nothing to protect my country, my home. I still feel so helpless that despite watching news I could not do anything.

Despite flooding with anger, frustration, provoked thoughts and counter plans, I could not write a single word since that day till now. I have always argued to people who criticise India or its system. Even agreeing to them in a corner of my heart I always pretended to oppose them as I never can support criticism of my loving country. I always hated people who say they don't like here, they don't like the system of this country or they don't wanna live here. I always tried to shut their mouths and if possible shut my links with such persons. But today, I feel like saying myself, "I am ashamed of being Indian". The reason? I think, had I been the citizen of US, there would have some value of my life. Someone would have taken avenge for my blood. But here in India there is never an "Aar ya Paar" thing but only words, words and mere words. Sometimes I think what in world should our enemies do that our government take some real strong steps? What is this world could be the sheerest slap on our face that we got up with rage and say now its enough? What on this earth can be the deadliest attack on our Nation that our leadership shout back that either we will take revenge or let the Indians be eliminated once for all?

Sadly, our enemies have tried everything, let it be the four invasions, decades long terrorism, lakhs of dead Indians, countless blasts, dozens of assassinations, attack on assemblies or even parliament, hijacking Indians planes, getting their arrested leaders released, freely roaming around and having capabilities of planting bomb anywhere anytime, they could not make blood boil of any of our leaders (irrespective of any political party) in these sixty years. Seems like our leaders never had any blood in there veins.

Now, when smoke is clearing in Mumbai, Indian government has performed its custom of issuing warnings, some resignations have been written and new promises have been made, Mumbai is getting back on its track like they say of its so called 'spirit'. Prevailing of normalcy can be seen by the revolt of Narayan Rane. The stray street dogs who were stunned and hiding with the impact of sudden blasts are now normal and have resumed barking and fighting over a piece of bone in the trash bin on the road.

The images of this terror attacks are now travelling in the world. Each picture shakes me up. Since 26th, my anger is holding back my tears within myself. But I don't wanna cry, I will not cry. I want to keep this salty water save in myself. I don't want to waste it. I am moved with the awakening of common Indian. I am touched and delighted with the movement of every Indian heart this time. I am happy that senses of common Indian people are live and that at least their blood is boiling. I am praying to God that please don't let that awakening die by the passage of time, I wish every Indian will not let these images fade off their hearts ever. Because if we Indians will keep this fire burning in our hearts, no one on this earth can eliminate us. No Jihadi can terrorise us. We will charge back at them with full force no matter how many bullets enter our chests or of our beloved ones. We will torn these rats apart.

After failing of our system, its time now to stand ourselves and protact our beloved India ourselves. I am still optimist, I still listen to my heart who is saying, " I am proud to be an Indian" !

Moveable God !

Sometimes for a change I play pool at yahoo games. At games I hardly involve in chatting but many a times other person seems cordial and we start chatting while playing. Yesterday too, I went to yahoo games after a long period, after couple of games I joined a table for a new game with new person. For some moments game went on silently and then the other person started talking and I responded while playing. Here are the exact words we two shared.

ABCD: Hello!
ME: Hi!
ABCD: asl please
ME: 34 m India, n u?
ABCD: 23 f usa (I am not sure he/she was telling truth or no but I think it was lie)
ABCD: r u Hindu?
ME: yup, u seems to know a lot bout India or u r the one?
ABCD: no, I am half American and half Italian
ME: Nice
ABCD: I attended classes on religion and read about all the main religions of world.
ABCD: pagwan !
ME: That sounds interesting (I was genuinely interested in her/his talks) and I think you meant by ‘Bhagwan’ :) !
ABCD: so you worship statue?
ME: (Feeling her real curious about Hinduism I thought of giving my best try to satisfy her curiosity) "Hinduism is very vast and wide way of living apart from religion, there is no restriction, you can worship any foam of God, be it a statue or as infinite."
ABCD: But one who can’t move itself, how can it help you?
ME: (I was surprised at his/her attitude) Religion and especially Hinduism is too large topic to be discussed here. (And to diversify the topic I said…) lol, is for you God is meant for help only? (I wrote ‘lol’ just to avoid any heated argument)
ABCD: I think statue and shit is same thing, they can’t move.

I was astonished and then pitying on that person, I could have started arguing about his religion but taking other person as a spoiled kid I remained calm. I was thinking may be that kid has seen some ‘God’ moving in his/her life and that able to move ‘God’ may have taught him to insult other religion.

ABCD: Shoooooooot! Shoooooot! Don’t stop playing!

I was tempted of asking him which God he have seen moving or to ask him of his religion or to tell him about the greatness of Hinduism but on the other hand I knew that he/she is a gone case and was a person of sick mind so decided to remain silent. I didn’t even want to leave in between as a quitter, so I kept playing without any more word for that person.

ABCD: So your ‘pagwan’ is shit.
ABCD: Take my shit and put it ‘in’ your god and worship it, you shit worshippers.

Keeping my patience, I pocketed the black ball to win the game and that person took no time to leave the table.

I lost my interest in any more games and left the room. But I was thinking sadly what provoked that guy? The way that person vomited rubbish, how much idea could he had of any religion and he said he attended religious classes?

I never argue religion with anyone on or off net cause I don’t have to prove anything to anybody and more importantly, ‘Hinduism’ have taught me to respect all the religions. I am not attached to any particular way of worship as I strongly feel God within my heart and soul. But very politely I want to tell such kind of creatures that it is only ‘Hinduism’ in the whole world which gracefully gave shelter and passage to all the religions in India (without worrying how they behaved in return) and it is the only Hinduism which was never involved in any kind of Crusade or holy wars or to capture or convert others like all the major religions of rest of the world and cultures. Any person of healthy mind cannot deny that apart being the oldest religion, Hinduism is very polite, tolerant, forbearing, enduring, and full of freedom.

No doubt my endurance with that sick person was cause of Hinduism only. My request for such creatures: "Please wear this batch always!"

Help Me Prabhu !

Hurdles, hurdles and more hurdles. Nothing seems to be working in my favour past many months. Every this and that, which I had expected to be gone through smoothly for me, have been flown into ashes in front of my eyes. Problems and failures are like chasing and then embracing me with full force.

If I have to glance through positive lenses, there are few achievements too but I know there were some certain, sure shot & essential successes which blasted off on my face hurting me inside badly. Everybody seems to be on opposite side. And this is not at all an illusion. I have seen with my own eyes and heard with my own ears. Number of unforeseen and unexpected barriers has mushroomed in my way forcing me to change the route. But all the routs seem to be closed for me as off now. I have already faced a lot and I have no idea how much more is still waiting.

But here I wanna pat my back also. I have faced all the problems while standing tall and not kneeling down. I know I am alone standing against all the odds and there are couples of eyes watching me with their faiths and hopes to see me merging out as a winner. There are few who have prayed for me. I know I am not going to loose their faith. I will not let problems take me over. I still have so much of courage left to face these and much more if any. I won’t lie down, I won’t break and I won’t give up. All these problems are going to make me more strong and more powerful. That is for sure.

Just help me Shri Prabhu!

Reliance Capital (Punishment)

Monday morning, start of the business hours, you driving to your office through rush hours busy road and lost in thoughts of the things-to-do-today, hmmmm.................. to meet tax adviser, to pay installment of home loan, mail to him, him, her and him, documents to submit in bank, to plan tomorrow’s tour with company guy visiting from other city, problems of sales staff, to make calls to so and so etc.


All sudden your phone rings and when you reply (at the risk of being challaned for using cell while drive) a female, trying-to-make-sweet voice speaks, "Mr. Praney? Good morning sir, I am Mona from Reliance Capital and .................................." and here the real story goes like:

One day in May:

“Hello! Is it Mr. Praney?”
“Yes”
“I am Sandhya from Reliance Capital, are you using any credit card?”
“See Sandhya, I don’t need any card, thanks a lot.” I disconnect.

Another day in May:

“Hello Sir! Praney ji bol rahen hain?
“Ji!”
“Sir, this is Ria from Reliance Credit Card………………….
“Hey I don’t need any card, thanks a lot.”
“Why not sir?” She would still try.
“I have all the cards I require, so please, I am busy right now. Ok thanks”
“Should I call you in the evening sir?”
“I told you na, I don’t require, please don’t disturb again.” I hang up.

Another another day in May:

“Hello. Is it Mr. Praney?”
“Yeah!”
“Sir, I am Suman from Reliance ……………..”
“Hey how many times I need to tell you that I don’t want any bloody card. Why don’t you people understand?”
“But Sir……………………”
“No, you listen, please delete my name from the list you people calling me, I don’t want any card that’s it.” I would hang without waiting for her.

After some peaceful days, finally one day in June:

“Hello, Praney sir?”
“Yes Praney here”
“Sir, I am Ritu from Reliance Capital…………………..”
“Hey mere Ram. Are you guys kidding me or something?”
“Why sir?
“For hundred of times I have told your Reliance guys, that I am not interested in your card. Why don’t you people listen to me? What is your problem?”
“I am sorry sir, I was not aware at all. I will just delete your name”
“I would be highly obliged, please do.” I disconnect again.

June Again:

“Hi sir, remember Suman from Reliance? I spoke to you for credit card?’
“…………………..”
“Hello sir? Are you there?”
“Yes. I was thinking what to say to you”
“Sir please card banwa lijeye”
“Listen Miss………”
“Sir Suman…….”
“Yeah Suman, listen, I already have HSBC, HDFC and one ICICI card with me. So I don’t need another, please try to understand.”
“Sir, as you already have so many with you, what’s wrong in one another?”
“No, I am trying to close down all these too, I won’t buy a new one”
“But this is free sir”
“Buy means, I won’t go for it.”
“Sir, you should keep at least one, no one moves without a credit card these days”
“See, I don’t care for others and if I had to keep one with me, I will keep one of existing. Now please excuse me, I need to leave, Bye.” I hang up with a sigh.

But even then I kept receiving such calls from Reliance (apart from other companies) in June and July, some times Seema, another Reena, kabhi Gurpreet and kabhi Rita and I kept denying with my extreme patience. Every time I try to be rude and abusive but this was against my nature and so I kept paying for it.

That day while waiting for some one sitting in my car, I again answered a call.

“Hello sir, this is Suman from Reliance, I spoke to you that…………”
“Sorry madam, I don’t want, thanks and bye.” As I was about to disconnect, she spoke hastily:
“Aarre hold on sir, what are you doing? I am not even finished yet and you are disconnecting? A girl is talking to you and you don’t even listen?” She was literally scolding me and I was amused and a smile played at my face at her reaction. Then I controlled and said:
“How many times I have told you yaar, I don’t need any card.” I felt like I was pleading to her.
“But why not sir?”
“But why should I?”
“See, our card is a good offer, you will be getting so much benefits and moreover a beautiful girl is asking you. If you accept a card I can achieve my target.”

"What?” Damn she has started flirting I thought. “I don’t need these benefits and why I am concerned with your targets.”
“Aare, you don’t care for a requesting girl, you have such a sweet name and you doing this to me? Please get one for me.” She is terrible I thought.
“No thanks, please delete my name, bye.” I hanged.

That morning, around 10.15 driving to office and little worried for some business problems and at a traffic light phone rings:

“Sir, I am from Reliance……………………..”
“Damn, what soil you people are made off? Don’t you have ears? Can’t you listen? Or your bloody call centers are meant to harass people? Who gave you my number?”
“What happened sir?”
“For more than thousand times I have denied your stupid card. How many times I have requested your colleagues to delete my name. Do you want people to start abusing you? Would you be happy then?” I was exploding.
“I am sorry sir, I am deleting your name”.
And I hanged.

Believe me, I was not normal yet and just after 5 minutes:

“Hello sir, Suman here from Reliance, remember me?
“You people are just shameless and daring, I have to admit.”
“Why sir?”
“Don’t be over smart, you friend sitting next to you just spoke to me. Don’t you know that? Or you guys enjoy your day this way? ”
“Sir I am talking you so affectionately and you ………………”
“Hey tell me, are you flirting with me? If yes, don’t even try. Just leave me alone? Don’t ever call me again I am telling you very seriously.” I was badly furious and banged the phone.

May be that was the only way to get rid of these blood sucking creatures. Two days went peacefully.

Untill this morning:

“Hello sir, I am Shruti from Reliance …………………………………….”

Masala Mix !

The pain I described in my boastful post just few days back did not let me ease off for so many following days. Though I kept myself pushing along, the morning sessions remained painfully disastrous keeping me too low to my stamina and later forced to visit a doctor.

The doctor didn't take more than five minutes on me and prescribed a muscle relaxing tablet advising twice a day for a week and for rest. It helped miraculously and very next morning I felt the same energy to return back to old pace ignoring his second advice of rest and enabled me to wrote 'Dance in Rain'. Sadly that miracle was effect of that muscle relaxing tab's hidden pain killing (hiding) salts and after a week the uninvited pain was back and this time little more strongly.

A group of ladies and gents do yoga everyday where we usually play in morning. As one of them sometimes play with us, overhearing my problem took me to their yoga teacher, an elderly lady and retired principal, she checked my index finger gave me a jolt declaring these are signs of future Arthritis. 'What the hell' was I about to shout in protest but could not speak so for the sake of respect to lady. Nodding to some exercises she advised I drifted away quietly and decided to stay away from her. My other friends also laughed at her idea and I resumed my game trying to ignore her words and the pain knocking in my finger and left groin.

I still would had ignored it until yesterday morning when came back from play field and lay down again for some sleep (cause of the 'Detective' I slept very late unusually and got up early as usual). But the pain in the chest didn't let me sleep at all even I was feeling too sleepy.

'I gotta get some serious look into it', was my thought and before leaving for office I walked in to the reception of a known specialist of bone & joint.

As I described him only about my left groin and chest, he himself questioned me about any pain in fingers. I was alarmed and stunned. After I nodded to his question and forwarded my right index finger to him he told me to have some blood tests done. 'Are you suspecting Arthritis doc' I asked with pounding heartbeat and wishing for a 'No' from him. But that 'No' never came. "We can only say after your blood test reports but these symptoms are of Arthritis", he said in his professional tone. "What the ---- !" I murmured and then spoke apparently, "Are you sure doc? I mean I am doing bloody two hours of workout daily since my childhood and no such history of this disease is in the family. I think you need to check again." He smiled and said "I have seen this problem with state level sports persons and even to children. So don't worry and get back to me with your test reports."

I don't remember when I left his office and reached a test lab for blood tests. I was so agitated with the idea of suffering from that sicking Arthritis. Me, having such a fantastic track of fitness and being leader of all the physical activities since my childhood and having 'staying fit' always atop in my interest list of all my profiles could have suffered with such shit?? I cannot allow that to happen to me. As they say a main factor of having such problem is cause of increased uric acid in blood and uric acid is increased by much pulses in diet. Now what is the simplest food one can have ? A simple Dal Roti ? And dal was (since yesterday) my favourite among all and I could had dal all the three times. I was really anguished and irritated at myself that being a vegetarian for at least twenty years I started thinking of changing my eating habits and shifting to non veg menu. The future picture looked very gloom to me like sitting at a bench watching others playing or dropping ideas of trekking ever again.

It was very difficult day at office to attend visitors or concentrate at work. I left the office early than usual and went to pick my blood test reports like a student who knew he has failed already.

But there was another thud somewhere inside me as I read the reports.

RH Factor : Negative     Should have Negative

Hemoglobin : 13              Should have between 13 - 18

TLC: 6800 cumm           Should have between 4000 - 11000

Neutrophils: 55%            Should have between 40 - 70%

Lymphocytes: 35%         Should have between 20 - 45%

Monocytes : 2%               Should have between 2 - 10%

Eosinophils : 8%               Should have between 1 - 6 %

Basophils : 0%                  Should have between 0 - 1%

ESR: 1o mm                      Should have between 0 - 9 mm

Uric Acid: 5.0 mg             Should have between 1.5 - 6.0 mg

But of course this thud was of drum beating of a triumph. No idea of how to narrate my feelings at that time. I would have kissed the lab technician standing by me if he had not been an old baldy guy. Again I don't remember when I reached doctor from that lab filled with joy of passing the exam with distinction which I feared to loose a moment ago. Doc there too smiled while glancing at my reports and scribbled down few pills to have for another ten days before calling me for reexamination. Now as he has ruled out Arthritis, let's see if these pill could work any wonder.

But can't stand with the idea of any disease like that. It's Horrible. Just like such a long post :)