One Fine Day

Life has been good for him so far. Atleast that what I feel so. I have never seen him sad or angry. He has been in good health since the time I saw him. He gets up everyday at 5:00 AM, wears his Nike shoe which I gifted him and goes for a walk. He does not have many friends. And this no. goes down further every year. He is in late 70's now, my grand father. Unlike me and my father, he doesn't consume any alcoholic drinks at all. He said he tried it while he was much younger but he did not liked the taste. He reads lot of books. Infact I got the taste of reading from him. Couple of days back, we were talking about a book by Virginia Woolf called 'The Lighthouse'. 

Yesterday, I borrowed my brother's car and brought him to Shillong as none of my friends wanted to come with me.  I enjoy talking to him a lot. Ever since  I moved to Mumbai some 5 years back, I don't get much chance to talk to him. Though often I called him up on phone. However, he does not like talking long hours on phone. I took this as an opportunity to talk random stuffs with him. The best part about talking to him is he does not force his thought or opinion on you. 

Today, we started our day early. I wanted to visit Mawsynram, the wettest place on Earth. The last time I visited this place was when I just graduated from IIT Ghy. Though I knew that any rain around this time of the year would only be a miracle, however I enjoy the ride to this place. It was a two and half journey from our hotel at police bazaar. The road to Mawsynram was almost traffic and pollution free. Driving in this scenic beauty is a joy. Small houses around the country side and the children sitting outside the house added more joy to our ride. As we were half way towards our destination, both sides of the roads were just covered with beautiful landscapes. We stopped in between to breathe in fresh air and to click few selfies with nature. We reached Mawsynram around 10:30 am in the morning. We visited a small cave called Mawjymbuin. It has a small nature made stalagmite Shivalinga. There were just few tourists. Perhaps not the right season for tourists to visit. We stayed there for around an hour. For us, the journey was more beautiful then the destination itself. There were nothing much more too see. We clicked few photos and decided to head back towards the city. 

We reached back to the hotel around 12:30 PM. We freshened up and headed to the hotel restaurant for lunch. After lunch, Grandpa hit back to his room and continued reading 'The Years', another classic by Virginia Woolf. I went out for a walk just outside the hotel. 

At around 2:30 PM, I entered my grandpa's room, he was still reading. I asked him to get ready and company me to Golf Course. He looked up towards me and continued reading. After few seconds, he put his pen down in between the page and closed the book and said 'I am ready'. We started driving towards Golf Course. We reached Golf Course in around 45 mins. I parked the car on the side of the road and walked towards the golf field. As I walk towards the golf field, I could feel the air getting thinner and colder. I asked him if he is feeling cold. He said 'No' nodding his head. We walked towards the center of the field. I asked him if he liked this place. He smiled and said 'Ofcouse'. I could sense happiness in his face. He said he is glad that I asked him to company me. We sat down at the middle of the course and talked about the beauty of the place, deforestation and pollution that is killing the beauty of this place. He told me about the time when he and my grandmother visited this place. How they used to love visiting this place again and again. We talked for around an hour and decided to go to St. Xavier Church. 

As I started driving towards St. Xavier Church, my grandpa asked me to stop and take him to a small village called Diengiei. I asked him if there is anything special about this place and had he been there before. He said nothing much and asked asked me to drive there. I could feel the chance in tone when took the name of the place. I did not ask again. Just type the name in my Google map and followed the direction shown. The place was deep inside the city. By the time we reached the place, it was almost 4:30 pm, about to get dark. I could see him getting anxious as we were about to reach the destination. Perhaps, there was something about the past that was going inside his mind. 

We stop at a place beside a large open ground. Some children were leaving for home after their football game. Some were still playing. My grandfather got down from the car and without saying anything, he walked towards the ground. I parked the car on the side of the road, grab a bottle of water and followed him. As I was running towards him, he asked me to leave him alone for some time. I decided not to ask anything and leave him alone. The ground was getting empty as we entered the ground. There were few young guys jumping around and enjoying the evening. Few young couples with their children were enjoying the evening. This was the first time I came in this part of the city and the evening looked absolutely stunning and peaceful. Being the end of the year, it was getting cold. The cool breeze was making ever colder. The worst part, my stylish leader jacket (which I bought to impress few girls) was not helping me in this weather. 

My grandfather walked alone for sometime then he sat down in middle of the ground and looked at children running around. I decided not to disturb him and leave him alone. I walked around the ground taking a sip of water. After sometime, my grandfather called me up. I ran towards him, he was still sitting at the same place. He looked very happy and relieved as if all the tension and sadness got released by the beauty and peacefulness of the place. I joking asked him if this was the place he used to date his ex girlfriends. He slapped me on my face playfully with a million dollar smile and said 'lets move'. We drove back to the hotel. We reached back around 7:00 PM. 

We had dinner at the hotel itself as we were tired of going outside and searching for good restaurant. After dinner, I entered my room and decided to continue reading  'The daughter of Time', which my grandfather suggested. As I turned the pages, I started wondering why did grandfather wanted to visit that village. Perhaps, the place might remind him of some past memories. Or, perhaps it's nothing. Then, why did he get uneasy when he asked me to take him to that village. Why did he asked me to leave him alone there. All these thoughts started wandering around my mind. Perhaps, perhaps some day he will tell me. 

Thank You 2015

Time flies. Just yesterday, we celebrated New Year and today 2015 is coming to an end. No wonder time really flies.

I remember last year when I was writing the goodbye 2014 article, I voiced that I would do few things this year. Had I achieved what I voiced?

2015 started with a bang. I ran 2 half marathons in Jan itself including Std Chartered Mumbai Marathon where I achieved my personal best timing of 1hr 48 mins. This whole year I ran 4 half marathons and covered over 700 km. From my health point of view this year had been really good. Hope my health continues to get only better with time.

Also in Jan, I cracked my first job interview this year after 9 failed attempts. What else could I have asked in the 1st month of new year itself. I decided to join new company and leave MphasiS where I spent more than a year. The next 2 months of my notice period at MphasiS was a roller coaster. In the beginning of March during Holi, I visited Delhi to meet my cousins and uncle-aunty. Since I had just 3 days holidays, I could not meet any of my friends there.

At the end of March, after serving my notice period, I went home at Kokrajhar. Met my old friends. Had lot of good home cooked foods. Got up early in the morning as usual and ran a lot. 10K every day. Learned driving.

So in April, I joined the new company with hopes for better learning and profile. However things didn't turned out to be the way I wanted. I wanted to leave the organization from the day I joined. The culture, way of working, people's attitude was totally alien to me. During my initial days, I felt like I had made a wrong decision joining this place. The first six month at this place had not been easy for me. Still I don't feel like I belong here. However, maybe I got adjusted here. The hunt for learning and better opportunity is still on.

This year I could not write as much as I wanted. Though read good number of books. Thanks to my friends from MphasiS who gifted me Kindle. Writing is something which I want to keep doing along with reading. Writing makes me feel good. Many time when I feel low and down, I either feel like going out for running or sit down and jot down those feeling into words. 

At the end of Sept, I visited Bangalore to met my old friends. I stayed at Jenni's house. I had lot of good foods which she and her husband prepared for me. Crab, Prons, Chicken. Dam the food was tasty. Also met Deepshika after may be more than a decade. She is getting more and more prettier with age.

To sum up, this year like last year was no different. Yes there were challenges. If 2014 was emotional draining for me this year I was mentally drained. Am I expecting next year to be challenge free? Ofcourse not. My experience with life tells me that whatever be the challenge, the solution has to come from within. Weather, it's overcoming a breakup or dealing with a difficult situation in office, the solution has to come from you. Yes you. If you expect some angel to come and solve all problem for you, believe me you problem will  go to infinity.

Each year is teaching me new lessons. Each year is making me better. Each year I am meeting new people who with them introduces a new perspective towards life. Big thank you to all for coming into my life and instilling me a push to learn and become better.

With this I would like to sign off for the day. Wish you all a very very Merry Christmas and a very happy New Year.

Letter to my future daughter

Dear Daughter,

I haven't seen you yet. Infact to be very honest, I haven't met your mother yet. Or incase I have met, I don't know yet if she is going to be your mother. Yet, I am sure just like your mother, you are the prettiest thing I have ever seen on earth. 

Dear daughter, few months back I wrote a blog for your brother. I gave him few advice to live his life. Same advice goes for you too. That's does not mean that you have to follow all the advice that I gave him. Being a father and someone who has gone through what you guys are going through, I feel these advise would help you guys. Ofcouse, eventually life will teach you all the lessons in due time. Oh wait regarding the 'fall in love' part, being a father I might not want you to take those words seriously. Ok, you can. But, please keep me and your mom know about this. 

This life will hit you hard. Very hard. Many times you might feel that its a curse to be born in this world as a women. Many times, you might question why is this world so harsh to you. Don't be afraid darling. Challenge will be a constant part in your life. It had been in your moma's and papa's life too. We are sure you will handle them very well. Yes, sometimes in process of trying, you might fail. Don't worry. Keep on trying. Failures bring the best in us. We are always there to support you. Eventually you will find out that the solution to all the problem lies within you. 

Darling, remember to have fun in your life. Find fun in every activity you do. Keep on dreaming. Go outdoor and explore new places and new things. Find things you are passionate about and do it. This life is beautiful. Go out and taste your life. 

Love you,

Daddy

The so called Life. Moves on..

Three of my childhood friends got married yesterday. Its a shame that I could attend none. Now, When I get to see the photos of these marriages in fb, my misery state only increases. I tend to ask why I didn't  attend these marriages?

Well, I have never touch on this topic called marriage in any of my blogs. Today after seeing one friend after another getting knocked down, I could not stop myself from writing this one.

I would be lying if I myself don't think about marriage these days. When you married friends ask you every other day when are you getting married, it's inevitable not to think. Good thing is that I say far away from home, so there is no pressure from relatives as some of my friends back at home face.

Today, whenever I visit my married friends house, I call their wives bhabhiji. I find this word 'bhabhi' or 'bajwai'(in my language) very weird. I still feel I am too young to use this word :).  I remember during my school days, I used to wonder if I will be calling any girl of my age 'bhabhi'. Today, I use it very often whenever I visit my married friends house. Of course if their wives turn out to be one of my friends, I would call them by name.

Today I miss my school days a lot. During our school days, the only thought that would brother us would be when would we grow older and go to college. Ok, the pain of studying to pass exams was also there. After we move on to college, the list of things that brother us only got increased. Profs, grades, gfs/bfs issue, placements etc got added up. During college days, we would want to enter the corporate world as soon as possible. After we enter the corporate world, some of us would realize that the world is not the way we envisioned it to be. Having knowledge and good grades is different thing, and having to work in resistant corporate world is totally different game. Not to forget in between you have to manage your life, which include your health, love life if it exists and family.

As we grow older, the list of things that concern us only grows. Then, you will also find people sharing hell of stuffs in fb about how to live life. Some people says that the list only grows once you get older and older.

Perhaps, life changes. Or perhaps, life moves on.

Letter to my future son

Dear Son,

I don't know when will you read this. I am sure when you read this, you will understand what I am talking. Before I start let me give you a brief background about my current status. Son, I haven't met your mom yet or incase I have already met I don't know if she is going to be your mother. But yes, I am done with my education stuff and currently I am working in some company at Mumbai. 

Son, let me start with this statement - This life is exciting. There will always be something new happening in your life. Sometimes, life will make you happy. Sometimes, it will take the hell out of you.  Sometimes it will make you sad, crazy and things you can't even imagine. Whatever it be, I would just advise grab it with open arms. Because this is how you learn in your life. Let me tell you one thing- people are going to tell you hell lot of things- do this, do that, do it this way. Most of them will be garbage. Still I would say listen to them. Some of them will be honest ones.

Do things you are passionate about. If you are passionate about music, play it out. If you are passionate about sports, play it out. Never give up on things you are passionate about. Yes, no matter what. At times when you are down, very down, this thing(that you are passionate about) will motivate and bring the best out of you. 

Son, fall in love. Fall in love with the most beautiful girl in the world. This feeling is amazing. It worth experiencing once in your life. Yes, chances are that it won't work. Infact to be frank, chances of it not working is higher than it working. Yes, one more thing, if it doesn't work, you will definitely feel sad. Your father felt sad too. But its worth. Don't blame anyone, just accept and move on. I know moving on won't be easy. Hasn't your mother told you that good things does not come easy, you have to fight for it. Ok, some good things come easy too :)

Travel, my dear son. You learn when you travel. If no friends are ready to company you. Travel alone. Nothing can teach you the life lessons better than travelling. This world is very large, exciting and lot to offer. Go grab it. Don't waste your time sitting in one place.  Plus, don't make money as an excuse for not travelling. 

Lastly, education. It's important. Many times you will feel- this stuff I am reading is full of crap, I am never going to use it ever in my life. Yes 80% of the stuff you are going to read will be crap. However, one day you will connect the dots. Trust me on this. More importantly, its the process of learning that's important more than what you learn. Life will offer you a lot to learn. If you have learned the art of learning then I would say you have learn the real meaning of education.

Daddy....

The City of Contrast

My friends who had been in this city for long tells me that Mumbai is the best places to live in. Atleast in India. I wonder which part of Mumbai attracts them so much. Is it the tall buildings or Starbucks or the shopping malls or is it the people. I have no clue. This city is home to 20 millions people. Now 20 million is hell lot of people to fit in a single city. And yes, no matter how large the city is. Of these people, 54% does not even have home to stay. 

For the last 4 years, I have been living in this city called Mumbai. Believe me this city is no where close to what I imagine when I used to be a child. As a child I imagine this city to be full of colours and dream like. Now that I have seen it, it turns out to be just the opposite. Its colourless and full of dirt. Yes, you can literally find dirt everywhere here. Opposite to every skytower, there is a slum area where people live in shit. Speaking of this, I find the contrast this city provides to be very interesting. 

By contract, I mean the difference in the way people live and their life style. On one side you see people sleeping on roads, on the other side you find apartments where the no of floors outnumber the no of people staying. On one side, people die of hunger, on the other side you see people wasting food in restraurants, home etc. On one side, you see people driving a BMW, on other side you see people hanging on a local train. One one side you see people spending 200 bugs on single cup of coffee, on other side you see people struggle to get a cheapest to cheapest lunch. On one side you have shopping malls with no dust at all, one the other side you see only dirt. Such is the contrast of this interesting city called Mumbai. 

There is one thing I have to agree with my Mumbai lover's friends is that this city is safer than most of the Indian cities. By safer, I can't guarantee that if a girl walk alone in the morning at 2:00 am, you won't get raped. Though, there is a 80% chance that you won't. Also if you are a party guy and have lot of money, this is the best place in India to be. As a younger, you will enjoy this city. If you are not, this a dam expensive place to be. 

Goodbye 2014

2014 had been a good year for me. It's not that past years had not been good to me. Past years had been good too. Infact, every year had something special to offer. Each year taught me something new. Unfortunately, I could not capture past years like I have decided for this year. So without further adieu, lets start..

I started this year at Kolkota, the city of joy. Like every year I celebrated this year with my parents. I came to Kolkota directly from Delhi(after my solo trip to Himachal) to meet my parents. Thing is that I am not a party person. Most of the time, I prefer staying in a silent place and talking to friends, rather than hitting the bar or restaurant. 

This year in Jan, Vikram, one of my good friends from IIT Bombay gave me one of the best gift he could have ever given to me. He called me up for tennis. Till then, I hadn't touched the tennis racket after entering the corporate world. So, we used to get up at 6:00am in the morning and go for tennis. Believe me getting up at 6:00 AM in Jan and on Sat morning(after Friday night) is not an easy task. But we did. We used to get up every morning on Sat and Sun and go for tennis to IIT Bombay. Being an alumni, we got to play for free. To me, this game is a beauty. Every minute I spend on the court makes me feel like I am on heaven. Maybe I should write a separate blog and describe my learnings from this sport. Vikram stop playing from mid of Feb due to knee problem. However, I just couldn't. Game is still on for me. 

In mid Feb, something happened to me. I felt in love with one of the most beautiful girl I have even seen. I proposed her in no time and she accepted. This carried on for 3 months and in mid June, we decided to break up. I hate this thing called break up. But, sometimes we have no choice but to do it. The next few months was not an easy time for me. However, I had to move on. I would say those 3 months with her was one of the beautiful phase of my life. Somehow, I felt this episode made me a wiser and a stronger person. Well, that's all I can write about it. 

Oh, I more thing. Somewhere in Feb, for the 1st time in my life, I took part in half marathon running and successfully completed it in less than 2 hours time. This was a very big achievement for me and considering I ran after 3 months of inactivity, it meant even more. Come Jan this new year, I will be running in couple of more marathons including Standard Chattered Mumbai Marathon, 2015.  

On March, I visited Bangalore on an official trip. There I met my old school friends Alari and Jennifer after many years. Jenni's husband prepared a nice food for us. No wonder Jenni is gaining weight. Infact anyone would, if you have such a nice cook at your home. Honestly, I had a great time meeting my old and ofcouse happily married friends. 

On Oct, I travelled to Jaipur and Udaipur on another solo trip of my life. It was really hot at that time. Travelling these big cities in just 3 and half days can be quite hectic. I had to give many palaces a miss. I realized that  hurrying this way does not give you much joy. The best thing about these solo trips is that these trips give you confidence and make you independent in many tiny and unnoticeable ways. Moreover, my learning so far is that,  travelling solo takes fear away from your life.

lst week of December, I took 2 weeks of leave to visit my home-town. On the way, I also visited my old college at Guwahati. There I met some old college friends. I also had a nice photography session with my dear friend Sandip at IITG. Back home, I had a great time with my old school friends. I really miss these get together with my school friends back at Mumbai.

Last but not the least, this year I am back to consistent blogging after 4 years of on and off. Last time, I took such interest in blogging was during my engineering days. Now, I am enjoying this process of collecting thoughts and joding down into words. 

To sum up, every year has been a  mix of small and big things, good and bad times, sad and happy times. This year was no different. Like I said in the beginning, every year has something to offer, something new. This year, I made new friends, learned couple of new things, love endlessly, learned to stay clam or atleast put up a concious effort and more importantly learned to accept rejection and move on.

Well my expectations from next year. Nothing different from this year. Live life peacefully, maybe more passionately. Write more and read even more. Stay in touch with my friends and family. Ofcouse more tennis and miles and miles of running. That's it.

@Himalaya

With GG at Biere Club,Bangalore

The above two places are of Amer Fort, Jaipur

Nahargarh Fort, Jaipur

City Palace, Udaipur

With Mr. Sandip at IIT Guwahati Guest House

With my school friends at Kokrajahr

Diwali@office

At Pre-Christmas celebration at Don Bosco School, Kokrajhar

"If I have to live my life again, I'd will make the same mistakes, only sooner"- Tallulah Bankhead