My perfect road trip-To The City of Lakes

“WOAOOOO” I nearly screamed while munching my all-time-favorite snack. The car seems to collect all its wits after moving around at its axis across a blind curve. Hey Tanmay, this is not done yar. We have got whole day reserved for travel. What’s there to hurry ? I Complained.

He gave me his familiar I-Told-You-So if I am gonna drive, I gave up. “No use. I should have taken your warning seriously” I mumbled while he kept enjoying swinging the steering of our #Renault Duster. 

Tanmay, my fiance is simply fond of his car and why not, after all its a precious possession we have which dig a deep hole in our pockets. Yes, mine and his both. Driving down to Udaipur from our hometown Jaipur was not a good idea suggested by every family member. But tanmay was keen upon not to hand over the steering to any other hand and I too didn't want anybody to invade our privacy in such a killing romantic weather. So, we set off to the city of Lakes bidding good bye to our ever enthusiastic family who have left no advice untold for a safe drive.

And look what he was up to as if he has bid farewell to all the safe drive tips. I would be partial if I ll keep blaming him for this, weather too called for a ZOOOOO-ZOOOOO-ING  ride in our Metallic Woodland Brown Beauty, splashing every thick and thin coming by our sides. I went on playing with the drops carelessly while he just couldn’t took his eyes off me.

I didn’t paid attention to the gentle drizzling turning into a heavy downpore, being lost in the thoughts of romancing at bank of #Fateh Sagar looking at the sun set. He pats me at my back and says “Kya hua ? Kaha ho ? Abi thoda time hai udaipur pahunchne mein” with a wink. (Hey What happened ? Where are you ? There is still more time to reach Udaipur). I just could not help and Blush While he could not resist and kiss me softly. Rain was getting heavy we decided to stop at the very first Dhaba which appeared. 

Aahhh…the aroma of rains !!!!! It’s still alive and rejuvenates with every monsoon. Of coarse we didn't expect the dhaba wala to understand any of our Mocha, Cappuccino or Frappe so Coffee was ordered for both along with the flavor of Kulhar which was used to serve it. Only thought which kept visiting out minds was- Thank God we came for this trip otherwise we would have missed the much awaited togetherness …Rain God showed some mercy and we finally boarded our Beauty.

Moving on, the road looked like a coiled serpent. Getting narrow with every turn it took and I admired tanmay’s driving skills with every move wheels took.

Our destination was an hour away and Sun showed its presence. Ohhhh ab ye kyn ?- I uttered (Oh why this now ?)It meant we need to close our windows replacing the touch of cool breeze with the output of AC coolant. And to my surprise after savoring the musky aroma of wet sand #Ambi Pur didn’t disappointed us. Lavender soon cast its spell on us and the rest of the journey was spent humming the romantic tracks together. 

In no time we reached Fateh Sagar and guess what

We were walking hands in hands looking at the setting sun……….

(A fiction work submitted for #The perfect Road Trip contest. For More visit http://www.facebook.com/AmbiPurIndia)

Some BAAGI UDAANEIN i wanna take off

I am certain about the  few sights and incidents which charge your nerves and it happens with me often. Some things whenever seen or felt leaves me bubbling with the increased rush of gushing adrenalin in my nerves. Feel of the falling rain is one of the source. How do i want to be like the drops falling freely and carelessly....As if the instructions of the rain god are-heard-to-be-forgotten and now they are the masters. The other source are the Bollywood Movies where the leads are seen wondering from city to city and how desperately i wish to be a NOMAD.....

Running, Walking, Falling, Jumping, Laughing, Travelling and doing every random thing which comes to my mind.....and the wishlist will keep growing.....

As for now my must-to-do list goes like this

Watching life in core of blue leaving me mesmerized....

Falling off a Staircase is done....A free fall, Thumping heart coming to mouth, Life taking a backseat and Courage vanishes at the verge of jumping off...

I wanna see the Sun up and close, rays getting scattered creating the hues

I wanna paint me BLUE out of every other BLUE...

Making Peace with WHITE 

Aah here i am with all my heart out and believe it or not, its the best space to do it because 

1. You don't call me "Chuhiya" (my friends do, provided my weak structure and endless running around with a confused look adoring my chand-sa-mukhda most of the time)

2. You haven't seen me justifying my sleepless nights with watching a Horror show/ hindi movie lets say Purana mandir.

3. You haven't persuaded me to go for a Roller Coaster Ride while i sulk mere at its sight.

The post is written after me watching YJHD which left me wondering about the "kiss of snow" and yesss the song "Baagi Udaan" has touched me inside....Do you have any to-do-list of your Baagi Udaan, please share.

RAINS here again !!!!!

A gentle pit-pat on window glass
does the same whenever it comes
my heart beat fast
and senses get alert
to welcome the soon-to-pass celebrity

Thunder & light are in tow
while the dancing damsel arrives my home
together they create such an air
i breathe and soak and steals
touching my rose and lilies and grass

looking at it whenever i attempts
to find it source, way and the distance
it mocks me and hits me
forceful pebbles it throws hard
i descends and no more assess

Young green color it always paints
i always long to have its stains
which can stay with me for the year
so the wait appears a short
and i welcomes her with the same gait

Ever Brightening hues to stay forever.....

Evening of 2nd June, 2013 was spent welcoming new shades of my life. Some of it captured are :

Mehendi applied...i was very enthusiastic to see it getting designed though still could not learn it

After an hour it started leaving what it is applied for...itz COLOR

I was not happy with what i saw after spending 2 hrs cautiously :(

I go merry dance when i see this 3rd Morning :) Applying mustard oil and vicks vaporub during night really helps

Share your experiences while you anxiously wait for the mehendi to dry and leave a strong and everlasting color...i was restless waiting for it to turn out beautifully and it did :)

Quiet Silence

Silence has words
Language which i understand
when i shares it with you
It speaks, shouts and echoes
everything it contains

Strange it is today

killing its sound
willing to surround
me and you
my throat is dry
and eyes try to cry

Try as i always do

my mind says no
and senses give up
my eyes at you
gracefully embrace
"A quiet silence" embedded between us

A Loud Renaissance

(This is my entry for Ring The Bell for IndiChange)

Being a woman is a difficult task since it includes dealing with men.

Indeed, the words holds good. She is fighting and facilitating at the same time. A woman gives birth to a male and he goes out looting a woman’s charm and honor. How ironical the situation is. What should be done? Curbing the ready to take flight of females or cleaning the soiled brains of males- which is better.

The debate has been going on since ages. Solutions have been suggested, mistaken to be executed to ensure the safety of women. Meanwhile the crime graph keeps elevating with more proportion of severity and cruelty which leaves us startle always.  Few days back I wasn't surprised to get a mail from my father who is posted out of city and is obviously worried about his daughter’s safety, elaborating the safety tips to be observed while alone and providing some emergency numbers.

I would like to narrate an incident which shook me to the reality of dishonor inflicted by the opposite sex. When in college I used to board my bus with a bunch of other girls. Once while waiting, we all saw one of the girl talking to a group of boys in corner. With the tone and gestures we felt it was not a friendly conversation. Well, the rule of not to intrude in other’s personal matters was followed quietly. The bus arrived and we all were ready to go in. The other girl with the boys tried to do so but was stopped. The boys blocked her way and one of them hold her hand while she tried to make her way and was detained by them forcefully.

I shall not forget to mention that the Bus was a college bus wherein 3 of our teachers were sitting along with other college staff and the incident took place at one of the busiest road of Jaipur at peak office hours. She never came to the bus stop again and neither did I saw her in college. Insulted she must have felt.

But she was not. The feel of dishonor or insult was shared by us. We, her batch mates, teachers, college staff and her friends who looked at her, pitied her and gossiped the whole day.

I wish I could have RANG or rather BANGED a Bell….

She was physically hampered and WE ? Our blocked mentality stopped us. I will not use the word Scared, and how could it be. What if a bus full of girls with a handful of male support staff asked them to leave her? She would have not faced all this. But we didn't…..

If I talk about the causes of such incidents the first and foremost thing which hits my mind is “Gender Differentiation . Not only in terms of education, liberty, health (which existed long back and our society has eliminated it to a significant extent) but in terms of imparting morality. Yes, we girls are frequently reminded of the Do’s and Dont’s while the standards for the males are still non-existent. We ourselves are the cause and beneficiaries are the criminal minds. We take no time in labeling a girl while laugh off the sins of boy. Underlying differentiation is omnipresent and its the root cause.

Voice is raised every time and is easily trampled. We talk of changing the system and the other moment says its not an easy task. Agreed and everyone forming a part of system is not possible. I suggest improve your own system. The system which originates from your grey cells and guide your limbs. Let not leave it clogged, drain it and clean it. See, Think and Act. Before being a part of miles long parade, learn to stop every small crime happening around you and trust me you ll find many. Everybody’s bit will do multiple wonders.

Remember, a criminal mind should be curbed at the start. Do not hesitate To RING A BELL or visit http://www.bellbajao.org/ when:

Woman is slapped or hit, threatened, abused, forced to take alcohol/drugs, touched sexually, isolated from her family, insulted publicly, denied of her basic rights and Humiliated in any other way….

If you are hesitant or scared to voice your strength, RING on these numbers….

DCP Night Duty Delhi Police Hotline – +91 875 0870 099
Police Control room (Noida) – 8800199955, (0120) 2522023, 2518063, 2521420, 2528051 – 56
Police Control room (Gurgaon) –  0124-2320100,  2316100
Police Control room (All over India) – 100 (in case your phone can’t dial this add area code before 100 for example for Delhi 011 100)

NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR WOMEN (Headquarters in Delhi)
Contact number: +91-11-23237166
 Complaints Cell: +91-11-23219750

DELHI
Women helpline: 1091 ; +91-11-24121234
Anti-stalking and anti-obscene calls: 1096 ; +91-11-27894455. Also,
SMS can be sent at +91- 9911135446
     
NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION (NCR)
Gurgaon (Haryana state) - Women helpline: 1091; +91-124-2335100
 Noida (Uttar Pradesh state) - Women helpline: 1091; +91-120-252500

MUMBAI (Maharashtra state)
Women helpline: 103
SMS to the following numbers: +91-22-7738133133;+91-22-7738144144

CHENNAI (Tamil Nadu state)- Women helpline: 1091

KOLKATA (West Bengal state)-Helpline: 1091
Women helpline, known as ‘Anti-Stalking (ASK)’ help line:+91-33-8017-100-100 (primarily aimed at dealing with obscene SMS/ MMS and stalking)

HYDERABAD (Andhra Pradesh state)
Women protection cell: +91- 40-23240663 40-23240663

Women police station: +91-0-27853508
Andhra Pradesh Women’s network: +91-40-27014394
BHUMIKA Women’s group: +91-40-27660173
BHUMIKA Helpline for Women in Distress: Toll free number – 1800 425 2908; +91-40-27605316

GUWAHATI
Police control room: +91-361-2540138; +91-361-2540113
Women helpline: 1091; 1092

LUCKNOW (Uttar Pradesh state)
 Toll-free women helpline: 1800-180-5220
 Women ‘power line’: 1090

BHOPAL (Madhya Pradesh state)

 Police helpline: 100; +91-755-2443711
Women helpline: 1090

REMEMBER: EACH RING WILL BRING A DIFFRENCE. IF CANT STOP CRIME, ATLEAST SHOUT AND MAKE HIM AWARE THAT HE IS DOING SOMETHING WRONG.

I PROMISE NOT TO REPEAT MY MISTAKE AGAIN AND WILL LET MY VOICE CHECK ANY AND EVERY SMALLEST FORM OF CRIME AGAINST WOMEN.

Royi thi, Chillayi bhi jub raundi gyi har baar

Aansu poch ab khadi hui hu krne apna khud uddhaar

Zarurat h ab ban ne ki Nirbhaya

Basane ki ek naya sansaar

Aankh moondh ab na dekhna                                            

Bajani hai sirf ek Ghanti mere yar….

Love prevails...

Just like any other girl in her teens i also had desires of a somebody to tag along in life (after all"i was grown up"). Looking around never gave me satisfactory results and in fact contributed in drifting me away from it.  Innocence had left us long before and all thanks to the growing exposure to Internet. We kept hearing stories of run away couples during school hours indulging in NOT-To-BE done activities.Incidents of getting liquor & cigarettes in school premises became a regular story. Canning no more worked. Everybody has different approaches to it and reacted accordingly. Though times were not liberalized much at home so we didn't dared reporting it to our parents. "Who cares" were the key words while parents kept teaching us lessons of morality.

Bad it was and scary too. The early days of westernization taking over our minds had a profound effect on us "Kids".

I too stuck to the theory of not believing males and therefore withdrew from the wish of getting a "Seedha Sharif Ladka" who respect me even before liking me. And Guess what God heard my unspoken prayer when i was at the verge of losing my hopes.

He came into my life six years before exactly at this date (memory, you c) and by the grace of our matured relationship we ll soon be tying the knot to make it a life long story. Interestingly he was there always wandering around but i permitted him an influential entry in my life 6 years back only. Since then, we have been celebrating each joy, sharing every sorrow and laughing it away together. 

So my belief in on screen love stories has grown a bit a more after it all came to me in the most Dramatic Way of 

Mild pursuing-Constant avoiding-More Pursuing-Strict NO-Quitting-Happy Realization-Reversal of Roles-Pursuing till gets a YES :)

That is how my journey has been so far. How is Yours ???

PS : We still argues about who approached first. He claims himself to be the one while i denies, always :)

Whoever say some one some is made for you
I seconds and proudly says
I have found mine out of the difficult ways