Part Three awaited?

The story, Tejas and Namita has received variety of feedbacks. I’m happy to now that many people have read and appreciated the story. Lot of them told me that I have touched a new subject and that it is looking good. Thanks a lot!  🙂

Part I generated the anxiety and received good comments. Part II has actually run dry on responses. Not that people didn’t respond, they shied away from commenting on the blog. I have received at least 10 opinions and comments in different forms on the same. Some face to face, some on chat and a couple on an email. All of them are expecting a part three. But let me tell you, I have not yet decided on it.

What bothers me here is “Is the matter of virginity and asking the person about his/her sexually active/inactive status is such a taboo that no one wants to discuss it?” Was Tejas wrong in asking this question to Namita?

I’m surprised.

POW: Red Devils

Location: A garden in Khandala, Time: Some time in the afternoon.

What Does a Marathi Manoos Want?

… a question that goes unanswered in all the elections. From wherever and whenever the Thackerays started wooing the Marathi junta, I dont really remember one good initiative taken by any one to ask the real ‘Common Marathi Manoos’ as to what his real demands are.

In fact, in between the digging of the cricket pitches, the riotings and the banishing of the so called ‘Bhaiyyas’, the real cause of concern has been getting lost time and again. The situation is that now the real common ‘Marathi Manoos’ doesn’t know where to start and what does he really need from the innumerable political agendas being manifested and bulldozed on his own name. May be he has accepted the silent corrupt (read Congress) over the shouting bigots as his and Maharashtra’s saviour for a better future. Yes, Raj Thackeray has won 13 seats in Maharashtra. We have seen all the talking he did. May be we can see things improving on the ground level too. May be…

Anyway, I’m not spending too much time on who has done what and who wants to do more. I’m just addressing the plain question asked by a ‘common marathi manoos’ and I want you (YOU the reader) to answer it for me.

PS: In my opinion, all a Marathi Manoos wants is better opportunities for him, better living conditions in his own motherland, greater financial stability and peaceful dwelling. And of course he doesn’t like some one else dominating his life. But I’m sure he doesn’t care who sits next to him in his office, whether a Gujarathi or a Bihari.

Thanks for Being There

I remember the days we spent together, running round the bushes, chasing the goats, interrupting cricket matches on the grounds… it was fun. You were so alien to me the first time we met. I wanted a new friend and you were not in a mood. I know you had come to us leaving your home. But we shared the home didn’t we?

And do you remember the baths we took together? Oh you so much hated water. But you loved the fire crackers didn’t you? Unlike others? The best thing about you was the way you looked and walked. Whoa… that was one hand some gentleman walking around the aisle. Many of the damsels had fallen flat at you feet. I wish I could look like you. And I always said that to you when we cuddled together on the grass in the garden. Remember the high jumping contest? And the reward of cream biscuits? Hmmm… good old days is it not?

I wish I could kill the biker who knocked you off. I wish I could have been by your side when this happened. And I wish I had the courage to survive  the ordeal of that intensity. You know what? I draw my strength from you. Whenever I need inspiration, I take it from you. I wish I could make you read this. I wish I could tell you what I feel about you, now that you are no longer with us.

Thank for being there.

My dog Mickey passed away this morning………………………………………….

Saturday Blogging

… for the first time. 🙂

We had a holiday on 13th October on account of the assembly elections in Maharashtra. My office is compensating the loss by making us sit in the office today. I’m warming my seat, reading Garfield, hoping a friend comes online, reading news, looking for new business leads……………………….. adding trail of dots.

Huh! Sitting in office on a weekend is sure tough!

O’ Indian Culture, Wherefore art thou?

I read a news article the other day. A wife had filed for a divorce from her NRI husband. Reason? He was forcing her to live so called ‘American’ life. The details include forcing her to abandon her ‘desi’ customs and traditions, change the name to some thing English, forcibly eat and cook beef, pork and wear lewd revealing costumes in front of his friends. He also posted her compromising photographs on social networking sites just for fun. When she protested, he told her all others do this here in the US of A. Two days later, we come to know that he is a Maharashtrian Brahmin and a close associate of a distant relative. Such a shame!

Are we not copying enough things already? Look at the reality shows. Look at the stuff we eat these days. Guys, how much more do you want? And what for? We had a traditional day function at our office last Friday. The ones who had come in proper traditional dresses like Dhoti and Nauwari Saree were being looked at as if they were walking semi nude with banana leaves wrapped around them. What the… It is good to change. It is good to adapt. But it is sad and really sick to forget the roots.

One of my customer is an Indian guy who has been staying in US for last 10+ years. He gives me a feeling as if I’m talking to an American. He asked me if Mumbai has a broadband connection. Then he asked me if I have a speaker phone facility. That was strange of him to ask. I know he was being honest since he has spent most of his lifetime in a small town in Maharashtra. It is still strange of an Indian guy to ask such a question. If that is the case, ponder what the average young Americans might be thinking of us. Is it not their (the NRI’s) responsibility to change the perception?

When in Rome, Behave like Romans! I know. But does it mean when in US, forget Indian culture?

Addendum: The High Court granted her the divorce. They shot down the argument from the husband that she was expected to ‘adjust’ to the lifestyle. The HC has also asked to initiate criminal proceedings against the husband for outraging the modesty of his own wife forcibly in public (because he put the photographs on the SNS)

POW: Dance with Me

Location: Chokhi Dhani, Kalyan. Time: About 5:30pm