Technology and Memories

 We live in an extremely dynamic world wherein the defining parameters continuously get modulated. We indulge ourselves in adapting to the changes in our stimuli, living through the crests and troughs of life, working for our dreams and making them reality. Amidst all, time flows by gradually and spectacularly, leaving behind shades of memories in small packets. Owing to our continuous bout for survival we hardly get time to look back and contemplate over these defining moments of our lives. Technology, I believe is our greatest saviour in this case. It is the biggest achievement of present century which mankind has rewarded itself with. Available in various forms, it helps us keep check of our lives in peculiar ways. It not only can help us toward our future but also can tell where we used to be and what all we have lived through.

 I had my epiphany few days back when the homepage of my Facebook account displayed a particular picture. A single look at it and all that had settled at some corner of my memory palace started flashing on the front lobe of my cerebrum.  It was a picture from my college days, depicting the birthday celebration of Bhrata Bheem. That photograph first took me back to the moment it was clicked and then to the person who was at the centre of celebrations. Then one thing led to another and I was reliving my version of "the life and death of Bhrata Bheem."

This name was first coined by one of our mutual friend, keeping in mind his large overweighed personality, my comparably slim personality, my craving for logic and reasons, and our great camaraderie.  He was a guy who lived on his own terms, no matter what was at stake, and carried no malice toward others.  Simplicity and jovialness were two qualities that he commanded through his personality. He showcased that it is perfectly normal to have shortcomings and lacunas and you can always get over them through your attitude and demeanour. His sheer trust and impeccable belief on my decisions always motivated me towards doing the right thing. He always said- "Bhai Tum ghabra mat! Kuch bhi ho hum hai tere sath". Ironically, lying on his death bed, those were the last words he uttered to me. The death was unnatural and the grief was unbearable. Something in the name of Aplastic Anaemia took him away and left me bereaved.

It has been 6 months to his demise and things have started getting back in place. Life has settled in and time, up till some extent, has taken care of everything. I got occupied with my responsibilities, ambitions and became oblivious to the past. Thanks to these tiny little technological features that we keep around ourselves. They make us pause our life for some time and allow us to sit and throw a look back into our lives. They help us find time and remember our loved ones, re-live the cherished moments shared with them and tell them how much we miss them.  

P.S:-

Dear Brother,

The moment I saw this picture, I thought of your smiling face. I remember it was the same when you were there on your death bed and asking me not to worry, or when we clicked formal photographs right before our campus placement process, or when you ordered Mughlai Parantha from Bengali Thela, or when you posed during the A4 section Batch Party, or when I first donated you my blood, or when someone voluptuous walked in our department, or when I got placed, or whenever you said-Bhai mere liye apne baju me seat rakhna, or when you created better notes than Moti, or when you teased me for some girl, or specially when you told me that you will always be there for me.

There is so much that we have shared and lived through that it eludes the ambit of words and sentences I can articulate. All I can muster is that it had been an honour to share few moments of your lifetime and regret not to be part of all the others and that you have always been there for me and you will continue to live in my memories and of the rest whose life you have touched.

Yours
Bhrata Arjun

Badminton- From Avocation to Passion

There are few avenues in everyone’s life which give them satisfaction and peace of mind. These avenues are actually path following which people encounter various phases of life and its utmost vividness, and enjoy sheer happiness and contentment after every milestone.  Of all these avenues, there’s one which is in the purview of many people and is pursued by many. It’s the one which encompasses people of all age, ethnicity, region and creed. It’s the one which forces you to push your limits and gives you immense results once you reach beyond the level of exhaustion. It’s SPORTS.

I joined Tata Power as the much-coveted position of Graduate Engineer Trainee last July. It was during the first few days of orientation, I came to know about the company’s excellent sporting environment. The large creed of sports which people pursue here as part of Tata Family, the endeavor it puts forth to nurture talents in every creed and the spirit it offers to every sportsman, helping them keep the flames of their passion alive. I played Badminton as a mere avocation till college, and knowing all these, I was more than happy, as I will be able to pursue my interest and will be getting a good platform to improve myself.

I started practicing badminton and met some of the finest players in the colony. Then came the month of November, bearing “The inter-divisional Badminton tournament” of the company. I gleamed with excitation as the opportunity which I was seeking was right at my doorstep. Buckling myself, I promised to put in my best and got selected for the QA & IT/ETD team. November 17-18 was the date of the tournament.
The tournament started and there were teams, irrespective of ranks and gender, participating from various locations across the nation. The most startling observation was the broad spectrum of age of participants, ranging from 21 years to 55 years. How can a company have such fit employees at that age for a game like this? The tournament was beautifully managed. Right from the team selection to the prize distribution, everything was effectively planned. My team was doing well and an unforgettable fact was that even the opponents were appreciating a good smash or a fine drop shot when played. Such sportsmanship was really uncommon and reflected the core values that the players have. We reached up to semi-finals and my match was against a fellow named Mr. Anup Kanade. It was hard to give him a good fight and I lost to him. Later on, he appreciated my efforts and highlighted my mistakes. He happened to be a national level player. Learning from someone with such prolific skills made me feel honored. My team finished third in the tournament, but the hard work really paid off, as my game drew the attention of many senior players.
Contemplating all those happenings, a gust of delight and happiness rushes in me, reminding me of all the learnings (about game as well as sportsmanship), and the praise I received and most importantly about the values a person should inculcate. So, here I am, feeling confident and realizing that this organization not only values me for the services which I offer but also paves a way for me to pursue my passion and shine bright with my head held high.

The City Of Dreams.

They call it the city of dreams! I asked one of fellow passenger why and he answered- “Dost! Here all types of dreams of a person get fulfilled (winking), that’s why everyone dreams to come here and shape their fortune as per fate!” I rejoiced and prompted my second question- Does this city really gets to fulfill everyone’s every dream? “Well” he said smiling, “that’s for you to explore!”

The city portrays a wide canvas of shades pertaining to topography, religion, living status and most importantly size of people’s hearts! Lying amidst the breathtaking Western Ghats on one side and never ending Arabian Sea on the other, the city offers exhilarating experience to those who reside here. The climate here is exceptional as we have only 3 major season- summer, Monsoon and Cool Summer (it accidently coincides with the shivering winter in other country parts!!).

But the most defining attribute of any city is kind of people over there. Talking religiously, people of different orientations can be seen here living in comparable harmony than other parts of country. Moreover, not much heed is given to the further sub-division- Caste system. Talking socially, the city has pool of people from all standards of living. You can see beautifully built housing complexes in soaring edifices and in the backdrop a multistoried slum covering the entire foothill.  Talking particularly, I’ve met strangers who walked along with me for extra distance just to ensure that I reach the correct location, being new to the city. And contrastingly, there were those who asked me to get the hell out of there as they are not signboards! Local Trains- nerve of this city is the perfect place to encounter vividness of people’s persona. You just have to keep your eyes, ears and mind open.

The point here is that all of them are aware of themselves and are not hesitant to perform their heart out. The various attributes of this city (viz. local trains, traffic) teaches you how to live life with stability and confidence in the moments of rush and hurry, the value of every single minute, as it passes, the essence of weekdays-weekends,  and the fact that life always goes on irrespective of who you are or what your circumstances are. It teaches you that people are not always good as well as bad, and that you should try to make every moment large.

Now when I think of answers to my earlier question of dreams, I realize that it is these learning as well as the courage and ability to perform your heart out which guides you to the fulfillment of all your dreams. And that the city doesn’t fulfill your dreams, it makes you the one who can achieve his dreams in any city.

The 12824 Express

The voice on the loudspeaker of not so loud, waiting room cracked out spilling- “12824 New Delhi- Puri Purushottam express is scheduled to depart at 9:30 am, twelve hours after its actual time. The inconvenience caused is deeply regretted.” I checked for time which showed 9:00 am.  An impulse of relief rushed from my brain to entire body, soothing it out. I thanked universe and all the forces working on this section for allowing me to board the train as soon as possible, because it is extremely risky to handle natural calls in the morning while journeying alone, specially with lots of luggage and “impressive track record” of thieves at New Delhi railway station waiting room. I was happy hence the following 20 minutes passed so swiftly. Beaming out with relaxation I looked again at the display board and something magical happened. The departure time was extended to 4:00 pm. In a moment’s time, that magic took control of my brain and all my organs started shouting and abusing the “universe and all the forces working on this section” in whichever way they could. But the clamoring of digestive system was so loud that even others were noticing my face expression. I knew, this “call in the morning” is serious and I have to answer it, anyhow.

Making good expressions to those sitting beside me (that impalpable way of saying-please take care of my luggage), I rushed toward the “digestive call center.” When I returned, I looked for my bag and then I realized that I have lost three things. The tension in my brain, the worried expression over my face, and some weight in my stomach. Of course, my luggage was there, safe and sound. The hours which followed were in solace, boring and I was looking toward the display board every next minute. All of this taught me one real thing-“the rate of passage of time duration is directly proportional to the level of happy hormones rushing within you. Mathematically, dT/dt=(constant*HH).”

The Clock, mockingly, ticked 4:00 pm and I left the waiting room to reach platform. Many people with similar facial expression as mine, were already there, allowing me to connect myself easily with them. The announcement about 4:30 departure of 12824 was on and it kept on going till 5:30, when the train finally arrived. The view of train incoming towards platform slowly rejuvenated me up to such level that I myself wished to pull the engine and bring it there.

I boarded the train and there was a group of oriya people all over the coach, and I was the only alien. Fortunately, they asked me to help them by exchanging my seat with theirs, which was in another coach. I readily agreed. Praying the universe the only thing that every guy of my age wishes for while boarding train, I stepped into that coach. I saw three fat creatures who later were known to be Punjabi, and two more fellows of my father’s age. “Oh man!! Not again...Not this time..It is a long journey…and I am alone...one nice girl (worth having) will do..there are so many out there..can’t it(universe) afford one??” With these thoughts pouncing all over my mind space, I hopped over the upper berth and fell asleep.

The morning next, my ears woke me up after sensing a loud Punjabi music. I always wonder whether this ilk of persons have eaten there earphones up, or do they love this offensive way of admiring their culture. With few curses slipping beneath my tongue, I pulled the curtains sideways and was surprised with the view. The first thing that I saw afore was a young feminine with really great eyes(Eyes are the mirror to soul!!), sitting on the side upper berth of my compartment. I was replenished with certain kind of hormones, the one secreted from pituitary gland. Anyways, taking control of myself, I came down, freshened up, and started making short conversations with other people. But she appeared to be determined in utilizing the advantages of side-upper berth.

Later on the Punjabis deboarded the train and the compartment was almost empty. I came down and sat on the lower berth across her such that I stay in her line of sight. I intentionally started reading novel, hoping this trick to work (!!). How can a person stay that long on his berth? After few moments I observed some movements behind the curtains. I crossed my heart and promised to myself-“I will not leave any stone unturned, once she comes down.” Well the trick did work. She came down and sat beside me and I can easily observe her noticing me. I know I am not a conversation starter so every stone was left unturned. All thanks to her, she wasn’t like me in this regard.

So, our conversation started. Initially it was all about books, then it moved to reading, then interests, then people, then the kind of person we were. She happened to be a writer and was a year older than me. The chat went on for 2 hours straight. It was interesting. Unfortunately the interest turned out to be ephemeral. As somewhere between the talk she told me about her happy and healthy love life. Oh god! Is any nice girl available?? I was disappointed. The train appeared to run faster than its usual speed and we reached her station. I thought to see her off till the gate but was reluctant to do so. The moment next, she asked me to come to the gate. I was surprised but I went. There she was, beaming with all her beauty, looking at me. I didn’t know what to say , resultantly I threw few formal good-bye lines. She laughed at those lines and told me-“Yaar, save it! You know what, you are pretty nice guy and you deserve a special girl. Stay happy”. A sudden relief surfaced my face and I replied-“Thanks for that. I know”.

But looking back now and thinking about it, it gives me pleasure the way everything went. These short incidents, make you smile and give you the ability to look toward the better side of life and empowers you to take care of small things.