My Own Experiments with Life

Today, I met Shekhar Kapur, Nandita Das, Gulzar and Tom Alter, who had come for the launch of an audiobook on Gandhiji' s autobiography - My Experiments with Truth.

There was something that Mr. Shekhar Kapur said that set this thought process in me into motion.

We live in this world where we use interpretations of words in their contradictory sense. Take Truth, for example, we might assume by not saying lies, we're being true. A man would not tell his girlfriend about his wife. So did he lie about his wife? No. Exactly.

Now, consider Love, for example. A girl might ask her boyfriend if he loves her or not. The guy thinks - I don't hate her and I love spending time with her, so maybe then I love her.

You might say, if I don't do anything bad, I'm good then.

It is impossible for us to understand the propensity... the intensity of words like Truth and Love.
These words are just absolute. By not doing what its antonym says, doesn't mean we are adhering to that word.

Maybe, I too should start my own experiments with truth, love and life.

Is this Secularism?!?

There is this piece on earth, I guess, I would call is the most secular place in the world.

It is quite close to Poisar Bus Depot in Mumbai. And now why you may ask is it so religious? Good Question.

Just opposite the depot is a church. A couple of steps from the church on the opposite side is a temple. And couple of steps from the temple is a mosque. Now tell me, where in India can you see that where people burnt down Babri Masjid, people invaded Ayodhya.

For me, it is just peaceful to see people worshipping their own God and having fellowship with their neighbours.

Now, that is SECULARISM.

Just a thought...

"The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.
We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often. We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete.

Remember, spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all 'mean it'. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak, and give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. "

- George Carlin

Is there anything in the world like a "clean" break-up? Even if we snap a twig in two, it leaves splinters.

I was just thinkin the other day if in a relationship if it would happened otherwise. No splinters were left. All the skeletons were deep buried and never to be unearthed.

But it just never happens. They separate telling each other they'll remain friends... keep in touch... etc, etc. But then slowly but surely, one of those two starts taking things for granted. Becomes frenzied. And it becomes a whole damn mess.

One big bloody chaos.

What the hell do you meant by the term - "Meant for each other" ?!?

Seriously, what do you mean by "meant for each other". No one is ever meant for each other.

Only soulmates are meant for each other. And how many people find and end up being with their soulmates? 5%? 10%?

When you term a couple: "they are meant for each other", it just doesn't literally mean that. This couple is willing to put in everything in seeing their relationship work. They'll just about anything to ensure problems leave at the same pace it comes in their relationship.

That's It.

FYI, Palash...

She did leave and I guess, she must have forgotten the name by now.

Thanks, Sabeer...

I still remember the day I received that mail.

My heart just jumped right out of my chest. I just sat there gaping at the screen. I guess it would be the first time this must have happened over an email. I read it once. And then again. I just couldn't believe.

Just forgot it for some time. But the thing just keeps gnawing back.

Took me three days to accept, when I already knew my answer the moment I received that mail. Wish I didn't though.

But, anyways, Thanks Sabeer!

Annual Battle of the 4th Cantonment

Today is Diwali. Heralding a new year. For me, it heralds back those memories.

Takes me back to that battleground. The smell of burnt gas powder in the air. Masked marauders ready for winning back the land. Rooms have been turned into ammunition warehouses. Curtain rods have been mysteriously and surreptitiously transformed into Rocket Launchers. All armed with their own stock of grenades (aka green bombs).

It was going to be a war. A war where there were no prisoners. This was the Annual Battle of the 4th Cantonment.

• A rocket zooming past you and you manage to escape it in the nick of time. And sometimes you just didn't.
• You are about to launch a bomb into enemy territory when it explodes right in your hands, destroying your gloves to smithereens.
• A bomb explodes just next to you that all you hear for the next half an hour is an eerie ringing resonating in your ear.

But then all these made sure that no one would forget these "battles". And I never did.

Happy Diwali To You All.