Bow Wow

Tail of the Week

Once upon a time in the neighborhood of Vasant Kunj, two carefree sisters went out for their daily evening walk. A Rich, Handsome Dude was out too accompanied by his mean, vicious dog. The dog, being true to its evil nature, tried to attack the helpless sisters, but the RHD, being true to his heroic nature, pulled in the dog's rein in time and prevented any untoward incident. The sisters, after their cries of exclamation, were just about in the process of thanking their savior when he severely scolded his canine companion and shouted "Pagal Hai Kya Tu?". The sisters tried to curb their laughter but to no avail and they chuckled happily ever after.

Don't really know the end of the tale as couldn't stay back long enough to hear the dog's arguments!

Inspirational Messages!

I, like quite a few people, have been at the receiving end of particularly inspirational SMSs over the past few days:

From INLD

Sab ko bijli, paani, rozgar milega.
Haryana wasio ka bhavishy khilega.
Oct 13 ko Haryana me fir se khushhali laye.
Ainek pe buttton dabakar INLD ki sarkar banaye.

Haven't really been so very poetically inspired to vote before.

From Be Safe

This Diwali Save India from Fake Notes (Nakli Note).
Gift Fake Note Detector, Paper Shredder, Currency Counting Machine, Electronic Safe.

Haven't really been so very genuinely inspired to gift either!

Shayari Sunao Madam?

I made a trip to Agra on the Mahatma's birthday. Nothing planned, just a leave-in-morning back-by-evening kind of outing prompted by a sudden wish on my dad's part to visit the Radhasoami Temple Complex. My great-grandfather had become a follower at some point in his lifetime and my father is a disciple by proxy. I don't as such ascribe to his faith but mean no disrespect either. Moreover, the elaborate carved marble patterns are breathtakingly beautiful and render the shrine a visual treat. The temple aspires to one day surpass the Taj Mahal in terms of its beauty and intricacy of design. And this is in spite of the fact that the temple has been under construction for over a 100 years- some say it is cursed- the most logical reason, though is an acute lack of funds. But all this in no way takes away the promised splendor of the holy place.

And since it is nearby, we decided to visit Fatehpur Sikri as well. I had very fond memories of the place courtesy a childhood vacation but the trip this time was nothing but disappointing. The entire area is in shambles and left to the local populace, which seems hell-bent on converting it from a World Heritage Site to a World Eye Sore Spot. At the entrance, goats were being fed by tourists. Not that there is anything wrong with feeding goats, but aren't there no rules as to what members of the animal kingdom are allowed to interact with humankind at monument doorways?

The red sandstone flooring burned and scorched our feet and in the name of convenience flimsy mats had been placed all around which I am sure had been left thread-bare thanks to the ever-nibbling goats.

The area enclosing the graves and tombs in the complex has been turned into a marketplace. The traders were selling chunnis and traditional offerings to be chadofyed at the Tomb of Salim Chisti; including promoting the whole dhaaga-bandho, mannat maango routine. Faith is the cheapest commodity in this country but it still is disturbing when people trade in it and that too atop dead ones. Lends a whole new meaning to the phrase 'someone just walked over my grave'.

It is sad and extremely disappointing that such famous tourist attractions have been allowed so carelessly to be left in ruins.

The most memorable thing about the trip was a question asked by a child at Sikri- "Shayari Sunao Madam?"
Or was the best thing the yummy besan laddoos which are distributed as prasad at the Radhasoami temple or the beaded necklace I bought at Fatehpur? I wonder.

The only thing I don't wonder about is whether I'll be making a return trip!

No Kidding!

A popular tourist destination weekend getaway package includes:

• Accommodation for a couple for 2 nights & 3 days in Deluxe / Swiss Cottage Tents
• Welcome drinks on arrival
• Bed Tea, Breakfast and Dinner
• Free guided soft trek to riverside
• 1 free rock climbing & rappelling session
• 1 hr roller skating free for two days
• Visit to water mill
• Child below 5 years free
• 1 surprise gift

I am sorry, but when exactly did I ask for a free child? I was just innocently inquiring about the tour details. Last time I checked, I wasn't even invited to compete on "Pati, Patni & Woh".

Overlooking the sentence-construction lapse above, it seems people have really taken quite avidly to this give-up-your-child-to-strangers game. First, they enthusiastically give up their kids as playthings; second, they enter their nastiest creation in the competition. I mean, do you honestly do not sympathize with Ms. / Mrs. Rakhi Sawant when she tiredly complains "Mujhe jaan pucch ke aisa bacha diya hai jo sota nahin!" C'mon people, whatever happened to fair competition?

My sincerest sympathies Rakhi. I mean, I'd totally freak out too if I'd plan a vacation and suddenly end up with a child below 5 years as a free surprise gift. But well, you chose to be part of a weird and silly contest and you are getting loads of money for it, so we won't go there.

Certainly no kid's matter this and nothing to kid about either!

Aana Jaana

Saw this sign on the front bumper of a Maruti 800:

Gujjar Aa Rahe Hai

Saw this sign on the rear bumper of the same Maruti 800:

Gujjar Jaa Rahe Hai

Oh! Me and my aimless directionless life!

Rainy Rumble!

Rain, rain, go away,
Please don't come again another day.
Sheila Ma'am wants to play,
And host the Common Wealth Games.
But, if it rains the way it rains,
Delhi will only be in pain.
Roads cave in, traffic's a snail,
Trees fall, life's a drain.
So, next year gentle Rain be fair and kind,
Only visit Delhi at your appointed time.
Lest the work we do for the khels,
Is wrecked and we put to shame!

When my Country bled…

1947 TIME Magazine cover by Boris Artzybasheff depicting a self-hurting Kali as a symbol of the partition of India.
(Source: Wikipedia)

As speculations abound once again as to who orchestrated the partition of India- was it the conveniently devious Jinnah or the seemingly spotless Patel or just the lame British hobby of dividing nations- the truth of the matter remains that the painful echo of greatest migration in recorded history is still reverberating loud and clear across a continent.

The truth of the matter remains that my country still bleeds- it is a case of a very severe form of Hemophilia- and with no cure in sight.

The most important thing, I feel, is to never forget or blot out such incidents from our collective consciousness. And that is not because we should foster and nurture wounds and feelings of retribution and payback, but simply because we must remember the horrors of our errors and their eternal repercussions.

As for forgiveness, that's God's job.