Something about life

For more than one reason, I recently joined the Toastmaster club of my office. I visited once as a guest and signed up for membership straight away. On my second visit the Sargent at arms asked if I would like to volunteer for anything for the next meeting. Mostly because she is a nice and funny woman, and saying no is not my strongest virtues, I signed up for a speech. For all those who do not know, the first speech is called ice breaker and it is simply about introducing yourself to the club. Choosing a topic was the toughest part, considering that I wrote it just in time for the meeting. Having not practised it beforehand, I crossed the time limit (by almost two minutes!). I am sharing it because few of my colleagues advised that I should. And also because my husband has pestered me enough for it.  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you madam toastmaster, fellow members and guests. This being my first speech,

There will be days like these, You would not notice the smiling faces; And not care for the cute kid around Trains keep passing by in a blur, Without making a single sound! When chocolates don’t work, When coffee does not heal When sunshine gets gloomy And breezes you can’t feel All your strength just crumbles down to pieces;   The slivers digging deep in your vein You don’t know whether to stay or to go, You feel the numbing of the pain But it’s not gone; it still is there, to hurt you   Every time your feet touch the ground And every time blood gushes out of the wound,   Every time you feel your heart pound. It may heal soon, it may last long, But on days like these, you will have to be strong Because you my precious, is all you have And giving up on you would be so wrong! And for days like these we have tomorrows

  Hi Sir, It’s funny how I have to call you sir now, to keep you anonymous. Due to the company’s culture and the influence of western work ethics on me I always addressed you by your first name. When I did, that is. You are a Stanford MBA, working in a MNC at a very high position, as crisp dressed as your likes should be. Everything that makes you ‘successful’, everything that can make you neighbour’s envy, owner’s pride. You are used to people listening to you, youngsters looking up to you and your juniors asking for your advice. You must know what responsibility feels like. Or do you? I vividly remember when I met you for the first time. Being in the same company, I had asked for an introduction to some legal recruiter in Australia. I was moving countries; I was digitally exploring the market. In case you thought I was asking for much, when one sends a request to connect on LinkedIn it asks to confirm if they ask that person. I used to think LinkedIn checks it against

An open letter is not my idea of conversation. Since we do not meet every Saturday, sip a martini or whatever your poison is, and talk heart to heart, open letter it has to be. I hope someday it will reach you. I hope at least it reaches to someone, not yet at the top of her game but making her way towards. Because someday she will make a choice. A choice which can make a difference. In the era of social media taking over the mainstream one, I can afford to be this ambitious. Another Salman movie, another addition to the crore club, another flick I will not watch. There is nothing unusual about the situation. Why would not I watch it, you ask? Well, last time I liked someone with a foot in mouth condition, it was Jennifer Lawrence. Also, she talked about food and embarrassing tales of her childhood. But this is not about him. It never was. He cannot make me put my lazy pen to paper. You did. I have not seen the movie. Not even at the risk of being unable to support my arguments ba

When do you know you have grown up?   When the urge to hurt back is so high, That your temples are throbbing. You cannot breath and you can feel the blood rising in your veins. All you want is, to give them the taste of their own medicine.   You know you have not done anything wrong, At least not enough to get it on your face. You can prove yourself right and shred the argument Even shred the other person into pieces.   You have never been talked back to, And here you are, being screamed at. Being humiliated, and how!   And you take it all, not ‘give it back’ Walk away, because that is the only graceful thing to do. Get that dirt off your shoulder, After all, no one is worth it!   Yes, you have grown up.   More so, when ‘he’ walks in the room Takes your face in his palms And asks for forgiveness. Forgiveness for not being able to protect you. For not standing up and punching them in their face. For

Dear daughter I realized that no matter how good an advice I give you, it will take you around two and a half decades to appreciate it. Your dad will be your hero. His words will matter more to you, no matter how shallow they are. I am not complaining. I chose a father for you whose words and intentions I blindly trust. Besides, I did the same to your grandmother. So I have earned it I guess. Then why am I writing this letter? Because letters are forever, and so would be my love for you. (And I read another letter written by a friend to his daughter. Let me tell you, worship them all you want but fathers just can not convey it that well. Remember their love, warmth and the freedom they give you, cherish all the times he will fight with me to take your side. But then, some things are better left to mothers. ) I know all my intentions to be a cool mum will go down the drain. The side effect of love is fear. Fear of losing the loved one, fear of getting them hurt. And this fear t

बिस्तर का तुम्हारा कोना अब मेरे कपड़ों और किताबों की बेतरतीबी की आजादी है। TV के channel बदलते रहने की तुम्हारी परेशान करने वाली आदत से छुटकारा है remote मेरे हाथ में होना। खिचड़ी में पानी का कभी सही अँदाजा ना होने कि कमजोरी का कोई मजाक नहीं उड़ाता। अलार्म के साथ ही शुरु हो जाने वाली तुम्हारी live commentary की जगह मुझ सी शाँत हुआ करती हैं मेरी सुबहें। रात के उस सपने से डर कर उठ जाने की मेरी आदत गयी नहीं अब तक। पर अब सर सहला कर , मुझे सुलाने की नाकाम कोशिश में , मेरे कानों में खर्राटे लेते , कोई खुद नहीं सो जाता। और इस आजादी को जीते हुए , लगता है , पूरा agreement पढ़ने वाली मैं , Terms and conditions पढ़ना भूल गई।