REUNION!!

Chisel a few pounds (or add a few in some cases), remove the salt from the salt and pepper hairlines. And there they were, nothing else seem to have changed. There the bunch was, the fun-loving college mates from more than 2 decades ago. We were not in the Hostels (old or new) anymore. Instead in a resort. We had no classes to skip today, for fun activities around the clock. 

Other common was the valleys around us. Not the dusty ones with harsh-weather-ravines from Deccan plateau in India, but lush green Appalachian Mountains of North America with its silky, silvery blue rivulets. But valleys are valleys and who better knows valleys than the one who has lived in Osmanabad.

1994

Any how the time was rolled back 20+ years for most of us. The festivities that lasted for a weekend. The fun, the food the dances the jokes and above all the togetherness as none of us had been staying apart for more than 2 decades.

2019

Spouses joined with equal zeal and familiarity as they have grown to know their respective spouse for years and what anyone of us was without our college experience. The kids got together as if those friendships were coded in their DNA.  And one observation was that although many children had grown into their teens or post teen years but most parents had not aged at all.

We all departed 2 days later, with promises of meeting again. Promises of staying in touch, promises of doing this frequently. And I for one remember similar promises made more than 20 years ago, while leaving the other building near the valleys, that I have not kept well. And I might not be the only one. However this time I am promising myself that I will commit to those promises and will not let them fade away under the day to day situations.

I know this time I will keep them, as I am more mature than I was 20 plus years ago.

I missed seeing some friends that I had known during college days and who could not join this reunion. I have vowed to share the stories and talks with them to make them feel what I felt (and may be make them envious too; after all what are friends for)

Next Gen 

The more I want to write about this the less words I am getting to justify what was lived and felt in those 2 days. I think that is what a beautiful experience is about, not enough words to express. (usually I am not short of words to write, but this was beyond what I can define in words)

So, friends if you were there, if you read it, let me know if you can fill in some better words more fitting the reunion.

I for now will bask in the memories for some time. So long till we meet again!!!

Referring to dictionary I find all the definitions very apt for what it was-

reunion

·         an instance of two or more people coming together again after a period of separation.

·         a social gathering attended by members of a certain group of people who have not seen each other for some time.

·         the act or process of being brought together again as a unified whole.

Despair to Hope

1: Despair – One word that most of the feelings can be summed up to these days. If you also think this way, believe me, you are not alone.

What else any rational thinker may feel when the news is all about Racial discrimination, Right wing politics gaining around the globe, terrorism, Drug use increasing, crime is becoming more commonplace, random shooting in malls, offices, educational institutions. Deforestation, pollution, Global warming while the industry and politics doing little more than lip service, at best, to contain it.

People who held the fort in last many decades, people who were respected for their ability to voice the balanced opinion are getting lesser in number and weaker in voice. The voice of the moderate; the middle ground is losing ground. And for moderates like me, the world is losing hope.

Despair and hopelessness, how ever you see it. And sometimes shame and anger at being a part of the race that is responsible for largest damage to the environment.

“Is there any hope for the future?” Many of us ask. And the answer mostly is Hopelessness and Despair.

2: Learning - Last week I was invited by my son to his school. The 7^th graders, my son included, were doing a “Passion project showcase”. My son has told me last night, that it is a project where you research the topic you are passionate about and present your research to the fellow students and the visitors.

Lately I have not been involved with my kids school as much as I should, due to my work commitments. However I am glad that I made that early morning trip to school.  These children, all in their preteen or early teen years, filled with energy and passion in that room. Happy and hopeful. Then I started moving from station to station to look at what each one of them is passionate about. As I moved my eyes widened and my mind sparked while my heart started sending blessings their way.

These children, the future, they gave me hope, for myself and for the world.

They are passionate about Music, Reading, Books, Oceans, Global warming, Art, Vedic science, LGBT rights, Asian food, Free North Korea, Marketing, Virtual Reality, Coaching Baseball, Websites, Graffiti, Animal Shelters, Dog care, Gun control to name a few.

I look at those boys and girls, the men and the women of future. The generation that will inherit the world from our generation. They were all passionate, and happy and bubbling with energy. The faces and the body language oozed commitment to their cause. The room was full of energy that each one of them was pulsating at. I could feel that energy in me. They were not only passionate about the topics but also had done deep research and could see how to fix, any problem in the domain they were passionate about. I learned that they care, and that learning was so liberating.

3: Hope - That learning was so liberating and so full of hope. I left that room with lot of gratitude for the teachers who are challenging the future citizens to be passionate about the causes that impact. Also; I had a lot respect and gratitude for the kids. However unwise our generation might have been to focus on technology and economy at the expense of humanity, values and the planet. But the damage our choices have caused, certainly have shown the next generation what is more important. I am hopeful that they will continue making the right choices. That they will not fall prey to false security of technology and economy at the cost of planet and humanity.
If at all; they will use and grow technology to heal wherever our generation has wounded. 
You are the Hope my sons and their friends. 
You are the Hope Passion Projects. 
You are the Hope Schools and Teachers. 
You are the Hope, FUTURE GENERATION!!!

Silent Refrigerator

“Is it cooling?” Yes. “Do the vegetables stay fresh?” Yes. “The freezer and ice maker are working?” Yes. “then what is the problem?”

“आवाज़ ही नहीं करता ” (It doesn’t make any sound) The lady says innocently. The service technician gives her an awesome smile and responds, “this is the new technology madam, it works silently.” And. We all laugh from the other side of the television screen.

This was a refrigerator commercial that was aired very regularly in India in eighties and nineties. Not sure if you may remember that commercial. It so vivid in my memory, that it plays in mind and always makes me smile.

How innocent and yet how wrong that consumer was. The refrigerator is doing its job fine, but still the owner calls for repair, because it stays silent. We all can laugh at that and it ends here. However, on a more serious note we all do something similar in our lives. Although not with refrigerators only, but also with people. And mostly people who matter.

I look around in families, society, schools, offices, politics, media and I see many such refrigerators. No one bothers if they freeze water to make ice or if they keep the vegetables cold and fresh; but are happy knowing that those make sound. And in the recent times at many places, the sound they make has become more important attribute than their performance at cooling.

And like refrigerators only times the need for cooling takes precedence over the sound is when the ‘sound maker’ has the vegetables rotten and the ice-cream has melted. But in most cases, it is too late when one discovers. The contents entrusted to the refrigerator are rotten already.

As parents, as teachers, as professionals as friends, as voters, as managers, as coaches, as mentors and as people, it is our responsibility to nurture and take care of those that are cooling with or without making sound. Cooling is the only important function for any refrigerator, sound is just a byproduct (wanted or unwanted)

We owe this to ourselves and to those who will follow. After all most of the past inventions that we all take for granted in our lives today had a “non-sound making refrigerator” (commonly called an introvert) behind them.

Holi Hai !!!

" बुरा ना मानो होली है !!" (Don’t feel bad it is holi)

Everyone who has grown up in India (or have watched hindi movies) must have heard this line. Truly Holi is the day when there is no reason to feel bad. Unlike Diwali the festival of lights celebrated as the victory of good over evil in the worldly sense. Holi is the time to celebrate the victory over ones own senses and enjoy. Cherish the blessings and the colorful surroundings. Demolish inner demons like greed, ego, anger, false pride.  Smear the friends and everyone in bright colors signifying the blessing that life is. Get yourself smeared in the colors and become a person who is clean, away from any anger and ego. With rainbow painted faces when one smiles and shows the white teeth, they appear silly and beautiful and pure.

In my schooling, college and early job years in India, I had always waited for Holi with great anticipation. My favorite festival as I had always said and believed. However, in last almost 2 decades living in the US, especially in the east coast with a cold march when the festival is and the job responsibilities have made the celebration almost non-existent. Watching photos and videos of family and friends in India from their Holi celebrations is the only solace. And then is taking a small amount of color usually after office on Holi and putting little dots on the beautiful faces of my wife and kids.

This year is different, Today was holi and I was not home, travelling for work. A few thousand miles away. This morning When I woke up in the hotel, it was very different from waking up on Holi in the past years. No one said Happy holi and no one heard me say Happy Holi.  Don’t feel bad it is Holi (बुरा ना मानो होली है !!) but I felt very bad because it was not any other day but Holi, and no one around. Tomorrow evening when I plan to reach home, holi will be over and I will have missed it. So how could I not feel bad?

With these thoughts I started my day and went for what I had planned at work. Still not able to shake it all off.

Then the holi miracle happened, My evening meeting got canceled, the key contact I was going to meet had developed an infection, early in the morning which worsened over the day and by noon he had to cancel the meeting. So I was freed up. And then I checked, the airline had a seat available in the evening flight that can take me home late at night. Late at night but today. So I will be home and will do our ritual of color in the evening (Okay! late night; but why be picky 😊) 

After all it is Holi and Bura na Mano Holi hai!!!

HAPPY HOLI ALL!!!!

PS: I reached home almost 10 minutes before midnight, and kids were asleep, so had a happy holi good-night kiss instead of colors. The picture above is from a year ago. No matter what; it was a very Happy and blessed Holi!

Circle of Time

Are you from a different planet? I asked; though he appeared very familiar, yet very different. He laughed, “no I am not, I am from earth; though not the earth you claim to know.”

Are you telling me that you are from some hidden civilization or are you suggesting that you are time traveler from past or future? I teased.

Past is future! he said more as a matter of fact statement than a philosophical one.

Like forward is backward? I teased again.

Forward and backward, Front and back, ahead and behind are only for linear single dimension entities. Backward is forward and ahead is behind in a circle. That is what time is, a circle, is it not? And so Past is Future. He stated, as if trying to tell something as basic as alphabets to a toddler.

I looked at his face with disbelief, some fear, some surprise and a million other emotions. I knew that face.

Time is a circle, he repeated, you know that. He looked me in the eye. You know that time is a circle, the cycle of time as you have heard and read. All philosophers from your part of that circle have always referred to time as a wheel, or a circle or a stone flour mill. You have been contemplating it for so many months, years and still you don’t believe me?

I knew I believed him. I knew what he was saying was a thought that had always tormented and teased me. I knew I never had courage to say is out loud for the fear of retribution or the fear of being mocked. But when I hear the stories from the past, many of those sound too futuristic to me. When I read about the pyramids, the great wall, the angel visitations in Bible, the theory of Yugas in Vedas, the Brahamastras in Hindu scriptures (and the forbidden use of those) and a lot more, I always feel that what happened in the past is in fact waiting to happen in the future. The time is a circle. The time is cyclic and not linear as we have believed for so many years.

I looked at his face again trying to know why he looked so familiar. And then a faint smile on his lips gave it away. He was me. He was me from a different point on the circle. You don’t always have to go follow the circle, he said, you can cut through and take the shorter path to go across. Time; as you know is a dimension like some others you travel through. You know that! don’t give me the look that you don’t know it. He said with the authority of a concerned teacher.

Don’t tell me that you didn’t believe in the stories of the time travelers and those who moved across the ages and the cosmos like someone roaming in their back yard.

As a matter of fact, you don’t have to tell me anything, I know how tormented you are with knowing what you think you can not prove. So, I am here, trying to tell you that you are right. You know and you don’t have to know any different. Don’t force the linear time world view on yourself. Prove it to others or not but believe in it yourself. One day if not you, someone will prove it. Prove it for some time, for people to take it for granted, like they take solar system for granted now, instead of the pre-Galilean flat earth scenario. And then they will forget as they have done many times over. But they will forget, only to be reminded again. The snippets of texts and monuments and stories, philosophical nuggets left as crumbs on the path, just for you and those who are like you to pick and think and decide and speak. Someone will see those nuggets to be worth exploring and then the cycle will be repeated.

Knowing and ignorance, just like time are universally cyclic too.

We both smiled. I knew we were one, I knew I could have asked him for the shorter path to move from one side of the circle to other. And I was sure he would have not only told but also held my hand to take me along to that other side of the circle, only to return back to where I was. So being where I was appeared equally fine. 


I would like to see you on the other side but then I have to find my own path to be there. Knowing that if there can be a short part, there will be a million. I am sure I will find them one day. If not now may be sometime in the past or future. The good part of the circle is that it has no start and no end. So, time being the circle is nothing but hope (as a circle has no end)

Past and future, knowing and ignorance, start and end all are the same. And You and I are same as well. See you on the way one day. He winked and turned back. I am sure I will see him some day again. 

I remember seeing him in the past too or was that in the future that awaits?

Easy Understanding

Run! What are you doing? 

Everyone heard her scream that in to the aisle. This was at the airport and I was sitting waiting for my flight. Obviously, she had stepped out of flight That was delayed on arrival. Also, it was obvious that she had to rush to make a tight connection. 

Her companion hears her plea and emerges from behind the crowd running. Instant sympathy for the man carrying a large backpack and a shoulder bag while rolling a suitcase. The lady back there asking him to run was carrying her beautiful LV shoulder bag.

The guy defies the crowd and somewhat defies the laws of physics to respond to that call to run. He quickly catches up with the lady who strangely slowed down as he neared.

Why are we not running? He asked, in a surprised voice. 

 

Don't rush me now. It is you who was behind, and it is you because of who we will miss the flight if we do. Her honest answer.

He nodded, knowing and accepting that it would be his fault if they miss the connecting flight.

Some relations are so strong that not a lot explaining is needed and understanding comes easy. 👨

2018 - Quick Memoir

So New year, bring it on! We are ready for more stories, more blessings, more fun, more success, more collaborations, more togetherness and more Life. This is how I ended my 2017 Memoir last year..

 … and the year that followed and just ended yesterday kept me honest to that promise

The year was filled with many FIRSTS.

A first ever full family summer. When my parents and my brother, sister in law and their kids were here in the US. All 10 from the family under 1 roof in Virginia. All 10 together in flights, amusement parks, malls and so on. We even made team jerseys to commemorate the togetherness.

 

Another first this summer was a new job. Though at the start of the year I had never thought of that possibility, but by mid-year that happened and happened very suddenly and happened so well

Another first was a proud dad moment when my older son getting US President medal for educational excellence in elementary school. A proud dad moment that had lasted for many days and resurfaces again regularly.

There was a first ever visit to Mexico, for a short vacation towards last week of the year. saw some wonderful beaches and met some wonderful people. Climbed to the top of the ruins of a Mayan temple, which may be even a last as there were talks about a government suggested ban on climbing starting early 2019.

Oh! and another in the lines of firsts; My high school buddy visited just yesterday. A reunion that took a few decades to happen and was worth every single minute of it. Hope to see you a lot sooner again buddy. I will try to start converting the hope to a plan soon. 

The year that just ended saw even more travel than the previous. Though it was mostly domestic but ended up taking almost 50 flights and around 10 train trips in the year that just ended. A lot more than my usual in the past years. I made friends with the airports and the hotels. And started a blog on conversations with the ride share drivers. 

Staying honest to the promise made many new friends this year. Was blessed with some excellent new folks in life (both work and personal front). Faced a cruel situation during the year. Those whom I speak to regularly know how much stress that situation had offered. Made me toggle between self-doubt and building back self-belief, just to lose it again and then trying to revise it daily. You who supported me during that time, know how grateful I am. However honestly, I am more grateful than I ever mentioned. Suddenly one fine morning that situation gave up on being in my head and resolved itself. I still had some wounds to heal and some scars to lighten, but I think I have enough blessings to get all that done.

Now that the “last teen” year of this century starts (Borrowed term); I hope the life moves from responsive to more proactive era.

A year ended, a new year started. The calendars are changed. The dates ticking, as fast as last year; with 1 day already almost gone from the new year. And before the day tuns to weeks and months; guess it time for some quick resolutions

üIf another nasty situation arises ever again in life (hope it never does) then just remember that Self-doubt has no place in the mind so make sure that unwanted tenant leaves the house immediately

ü  Work for living and laugh to live (and live to laugh)

ü  Stay always dependable (home or office)

ü  Make more friends

ü  Burn more than consumed (calories and stress)

ü  Write regularly

ü  Enjoy better time with kids and wife

ü  Talk to distant family members every day

ü  Celebrate moments (not just victories and festivals)

ü  Never give up on a chance to see the rising Sun

ü  Never miss a chance to share a story with the kids

ü  Laugh

ü  Pray 

ü  Celebrate 

ü  Stay grateful

With a prayer for everyone’s happiness I should welcome the new year. A year to write new stories and to continue witnessing life in more ways than ever. A year to spread joy and blessings and keep on gathering more joy and more blessings in the process. A year to live and love and learn. A year to stay grateful for all the blessings!

WELCOME 2019