random philosophy.

Why is it that the most profound statements are the simplest facts of life? Is it because we refuse to see the simple things in life? Do we really need neon lettering and spiritual gurus to tell us to recognize the person inside us? I think if we are truly happy, everyone around us (at least the ones that matter) will be happy for us too. No matter what.

Born into Brothels

Watched a movie on Sunday afternoon. It was a documentary, an Oscar winning documentary called "Born into Brothels". It was about children born to prostitutes and living in red light areas. This particular documentary was about a bunch of 8-12 year olds from Kolkatta, India.
Seeing the lives of the kids I realised that I was brought up in a parallel universe totally cocooned and untouched by crime, misery and reality. What I found totally fascinating was that despite being aware of the fact that most of their mothers are working prostitutes these children still giggled and fooled around like kids even thought they are totally robbed of all their innocence.
One little girl said, " We have to accept that life is sad and painful and get on with it" For me at age 10, sad and painful was not getting an ice-cream when i asked for it. For her, it is fighting off the pimps and the pressure of going into the "line".
I must say the movie is inspiring, a NY photographer (she made the movie) lives with these kids and teaches them photography. Gets them enrolled into good boarding schools. Organises exhibitions of their photos both in NY and in Kolkatta. And even gets one talented little fellow to go to Amsterdam to a photographers convention. When you look at all the crime and misery in the world this lady probably made just a tiny difference.
But even one child is educated and taken off the streets it is mission accomplished.

When did a series of dots in the middle of a sentence become correct punctuation? I guess i should have paid more attention during Ms D'souza's grammar class.

The best part about meeting a loved one after a long time is the huge bear hug you get.... however small the arms..i think its the love that engulfs you.

Prayers and Pie charts

There was this survey that I heard about a few days ago, it was conducted to find out if praying helped patients who were undergoing major surgery. Apparently, according to the survey, it does not.
Why would someone conduct such a survey?? Can you measure something like this and capture it in Excel?? I find that silly. I’ll tell you why.

I am not a religious person. I do not believe in rites and rituals. But I pray, everyday. I do not chant any mantra or recite any traditional prayers though. I talk to God and tell him/her to watch over my loved ones especially those who are going through tough times. After that I feel good. I feel I have appealed to some power that I cannot comprehend but I know exists. It calms me down when things are not going quite the way I wish they would. The reason I talk to my God is because I have done everything in my power to make things right and if that does not work I might as well ask for some help from someone, who I believe may be able to help. I believe that is the reason most people pray. So when one is undergoing a life altering surgery what else is there to do other than ask for divine help? How can a bunch of analysts with pie charts tell the world that all the prayers in the world will not help you get through your ordeal? When that maybe the only redeeming factor.

What happened to those summers??

It was a ritual for us, every couple of years we'd go there in the summer. We liked it. We got pampered, no home work, good food and people who thought we were most precious. Our activities for the one month we stayed there were, to play in the sun, bathe in the river, race up the temple steps, pray because we were told to and eat. And then we'd eat till we got sick. And then we'd get better and eat again..:) Everytime there was a strong wind we'd hear the mangoes fall from the trees and we'd pick up our baskets and run to collect them. We would wait eagerly to hear the ice-cream man's cycle bell because he would come just once a week!

It's true, you will never realise how much some is worth until you lose it. Now that we do not have the beautiful house anymore and most of the people who lived there have passed on, I miss it. I miss walking up the little hillock and seeing those familiar, smiling and wrinkled faces. I miss sneaking into the store-rooms to pinch some of the goodies that were made for us. I miss looking into the well and shouting just to hear the echo. All silly childish things they seem like...but give me a chance and i'd do it even today.

Well, its ok I guess..you cannot hold on to your childhood forever. I have wonderful memories of my summers thanks to my grandparents and that i will hold on to.

Raindrops keep falling on my head....

There is just one drop of rain on my window. Looks like someone is trying to hold back tears but one got away.

There is something that is very beautiful and inspirational about watching the rain. I could do it for hours, just look out of the window and see it lashing down on everything. The first rain of the season is the most gorgeous. It is cleansing, like a much needed fragrant bath.

I love the smell of wed mud afterwards. I love the constant pitter-patter of the rain on a tin roof. I love the sound of rain when I am curled in bed. I love looking out of the window and seeing little kids splash in the puddles. I love seeing kids make paper boats and sail them in puddles. (do kids still do that?)

Ironically, the same rain that is a muse for many an artist, causes so much havoc in the lives of people. That’s Mother Nature telling us not to take her for granted.

Back to the Pavillion!!

We are going back home. I am excited and anxious at the same time.

Going back to live in the city (and the same neighbourhood) where you spent most of your life should not be a big deal, after all familiarity is what we always crave for.
But I have not been home (other than on vacations) since early 2001 and since then i have changed a whole lot and so has everybody and everything back home.

I am more excited than anxious about going home. I will be surrounded by the people i love, ok they will all be in my face but yet to know that i will be around just in case they need me. One good thing is that even though both me and my husband are the sentimental types, this move is a practical one.
Nothing in life remains constant, as soon as you get comfy in life, something will change. So i guess this is just the beginning.

It is going to be fun, i am looking forward to it.

random thoughts

Isn't strange that everything we do is finally reduced to just a memory? Then why is it that we strive so hard for everything? Is it just so that we can have great stories to tell our grandchildren?

Hello World

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