This Tattle About News

So it goes, I have started exercising! This itself is ground breaking to start talking.. Err, writing. You remember the Gorilla dancing Gif (comparing it to a parent) that was being circulated online recently? That was the feeling I got after Baby E started his school. Don’t ask me the working hours. It’s all but 2 hours with eating, praying, reading, playing and if time permits learning. So the jubilant I, wanted to utilise it to the fullest. Yes, I am dealing with the fullest parts of the body first! As the numerous office goers struggle the streets to reach the office on time. Somewhere amongst them you find the elated short and wide female with squeaky sketchers rushing to the local green hub.

 I am totally changed now, (No fat shedding has not happened yet), since three days I didn’t touch the Newspaper! The social media is kind enough to get me the news at my window but just because I was reminded I glanced through it today. It’s the same story, Modi makes me weep and Rahul makes me Sleep. What choice do we have? Kejriwal, shows not much promise after getting slapped so many times. Come on! Women have moved on from tampons and going to Eco-cups! We are still thinking how to stop our country from leaking. Agreed pun is bad here but Salman did manage all that applaud and fan fare for his poor fun flick even after his sexist remarks. Recent I hear is Remembrance placard for his dead doggies. What about those footpath men who died (700meters away from his Doggy love) when he drove his machine down on them? Yes, we don’t talk about dead where the living roams in distress. 

Burhan, IS or the numerous mass killings all makes me uneasy. I don’t want to pick up the paper and read. Read about all that pain.  Not right to shun away from what’s happening in real world, right? Here again what choice do I have? I am not even mentioning the pain of the common man with the dips of Rupee and the highs of the fuel and food prices. Believe me my walks in this conservative neighbourhood is full of overbearing discussions of rising spinach prices. Yet, I have found a group of fellow walkers who cheer for Kabali on the walkway. Somewhere a moment of ecstatic happiness brings a smile to the worrying aunties too.

Do your small bit everyday to breathe and let nature breathe. Try to spread happiness so much so that somebody gets infected by you. And as I always say Live and Let Live.

The Know-All Edge

I believe myself to be a born traveller, one who receives peace from the sojourn as and when it happens. I was in my last year of Graduation and concentrating on my future education. I had managed to get through NIFT, New Delhi and was called for the final round on 5^th Jan. But all I wanted was the Mass communication course in Pune. One evening, I was taken aback by an almost faded text on a telegram that said ‘You are selected for the Mass Com. Course’, which required me in the capital city.

So here I was packing my bags amidst the chirpy chicks of the hostel. Some had landed in my room, cajoling me and cheering me on how to win hearts at the group discussion, even tips to treat handsome men with lady like snobbery. “You wish girls!” I thought. With years of determination, I had managed to get through three prestigious Post graduate courses and I really didn’t care even if Brad Pitt landed to help me board that Punjab roadways bus! I managed a peaceful journey on the bus smelling of desi ghee and unwashed woollen blankets.

I felt the butterflies in my stomach when my name was called out for the final selection in Pune on 6^th Jan. A jump in elation, hugs and kisses I couldn’t stop the blood rush to my cheeks and …. “Wait!! What? 6^th Jan? I have to miss the NIFT selection”, I exclaimed.

And that was the Prologue to my infamous ‘First-ever’ air travel. The results were out; I was not amongst the selected in Pune. A silent heart is all I had, hopes were crushed. I didn’t know where to turn for light and that’s when my father took pity on me and agreed upon paying for travel by air! Wish I could put emojis to show what it really felt like! An emotional high blood pressure, almost bursting out with happiness emoji can depict me well.

Extremely proud, (God knows why? Probably for getting an entry to All India Mass comm. flunking club) I mentally prepared for the travel. Middle class yet flying like business class was my agenda. A pair of heels, black suitcase and the English daily in hand, I wouldn’t have recognised myself in the mirror. At the airport, Air India was waiting. . Sure there was a lift in my gait. I have arrived, I thought. The beginning of my ever shining career, No more desi ghee! Hail high living!

Oh wow! Is it all real? Am I dreaming? I pinched myself quiet a number of times before figuring out what-the-hell seat belt with a little help from oh- so comfortable neighbour. I was the Gen X woman ready to take on the world with my knowledge, education, CSR, India today and of course the Newspaper. I could blurt out names of prime ministers, history of the world, top statistics of India in my sleep. I went on enforcing the fact that I was the ‘educated’ one there by picking up India Today over a Femina. Quietly listening to music, down the aisle I spotted the airhostess. She was going to some seats and saying something. I could not figure out what? As she approached, I was getting anxious, what will she ask? How’s your day? Do you like it overboard? Hope you are okay? were my brain’s suggestions. Finally she came near; I ruffled my paper and took out the latest Times. It has to be the first impression you know! I turned and saw her saying something. #$^&%?? Oops! my earphones. She bent down now and said, #$#%$$??? What? Oh god! Why can’t I hear? These flight attendees use British English only na? I am sorry, I said, gesturing that I couldn’t hear. She bent down again this time and asked, MADAM! AAP MAASAHARI HAIN YAA SHAAKAHARI? My world came crashing down to my feet, I understood that my preparation did not help this time and settled for Shaakahari. I ducked myself deep in to the seat with shame and stared at the Times in my lap. Oh Great! I was reading it upside down.