It was a strange feeling when I stepped into Route 2M today and saw all faces gleaming at me with a smile. They are my friends, with them I have shared a very different bond. We have so much age gap, but that never deterred exchanging any thought. With them I could be what I cannot be in a professional world.
Among them, some will be married in a few years time, some would take up further studies, some married gals would have pot bellys soon and some are planning their honeymoon. Our lives are different, priorities are different but in bus we all cohabitate as best friends.
As I move on today, I have a mixed feeling of happiness and grief, happiness for a new life and a better future but along with it I am moving away from those who have been the world to me.
I will miss the times we spend in bus, I will miss the jokes, the games and the fun. Here are some verses of laughter & Pun J
Whose leg will I pull from tomorrow,
Whose heart will I pierce with verbal bow and arrow
Whom will I tease for a weird nail polish shade,
With whom will I fight for a card of spade
Whom will I call cheapo and stale,
With whom will I exchange chains of mail
For whom will I carry books to exchange,
Who will compliment me when my looks will change
With whom will I work out and fight,
Whom will I guide what is wrong and right
With whom will I match a step in dance,
With whom will I gossip office & romance
From whom will I snatch a chocolate piece,
With whom will I share my happiness & grief
Memories are endless and dear to keep
Our friendship is a bond which is quite deep
Whenever you miss me, just send me a beep
..beep beep !!
Friends……. just Keep smiling as it costs nothing.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Mission impossible!!
She pointed towards a peak right in front of me and I looked up in utter disbelief that I will be able to make it. Last 15 days in gym balanced with birthday parties (sub’s, calzones) has not given me results which I could count on.
My heart missed a beat, because I knew it would be tough and painful, but I had to do it. The helicopter ride which I had partially counted on was strategically negated by my group as they had planned the climb at night. 13 km, 4 hrs seemed like a major target set for my yearly appraisal, when my boss had decided to fire me soon.
When I looked around, there were member’s who were regular visitors and were planning to take it bare foot, some were planning to run up while I was thinking will I be able to sustain. It was a tug of war between slim and fat, young and old and belief and disbelief.
7.30 PM Feb 5th 2011, is when we started off for the climb in the midst of loud enchants of Jai Mata Di on a road covered with shops hanging souvenirs, head bands and sticks for support. Following the spirit I picked up a headband giving me the look and strength of a pakka bhagat.
My dissatisfying first stop was at first 50 steps on the climb, when I was gasping for breath and my heart was pounding so hard as if it will come out right now. I looked at members of my group who were enviously treading fast on the slope, and I started calculating the hours it will take if I go with this pace. “Jai Mata Di”, said my friend with smile and gave me a sip of water. He told me, this is how it is but it is not impossible.
With further slower steps and strange realization that I have to make it through we started walking forward. After a few quarter to half kilometers(couldnt count kilometers), we joined back with my group who were dancing on the beats of Dhol. Amazed by their enthusiasm and encouraged by the beats I joined in Bhangra steps.
Enchanting Jai Mata Di with a strong belief in almighty together with infectious vivaciousness of my group, their encouragement at various steps when I was tired and my friend’s constant support eventually helped me climb the rest of the 9 kms(in 5 hours, not a bad target achievement in IT). As we climbed further heights, the winds and the view brought with it a freshness of an early morning stroll. Refreshing cold water bath took away all the tiredness and we were soon standing in the queue for the eternal Darshan of Mata Vaisho Devi.
People have a strong belief, that her view is possible only if she sends you an invitation and yes I was standing there in front for her, with hands folded in bow. It was she who had called me here, it was she who wished I should meet her which made me reach here.
It was 4.30 AM in the morning and the next major step was Bhairon Baba temple, which was another 1.5 kms with a steep climb. I had given up hope as I was aware that I had to walk back 13 kms, but the spiritualist girl among us forced me to complete this important and mandatory Darshan. I couldn’t possibly walk back if I climbed it, so planned to board a horse(pittu).
It was the most horrendous experience(where I felt the importance of a seat belt), with a Langoor making an anti climax entry, making the pittu take a U turn to my horror. Adding to the romance of the trip was a continuous down pour of rain along with strong wind sweeping us of our feet. The improved weather did help us walk down quickly but baby steps to avoid slipping and leading to severe calf pains.
Last 2 kms felt like a never ending lap in the race to home, which was made worse by a gentle man’s suggestion to take the stairs in the last lap. 163 plus, 60 plus and misguided 531 steps later my walk was reduced from a human to a penguin stroll.
Just then my friend pointed towards the same peak which I had doubted yesterday and I couldn’t stop myself from a smile in jubilation, “WE MADE IT POSSIBLE”.
My sincere thanks to my great friends and Route 2M family members who planned, encouraged and supported me in making this mission possible. Jai Mata Di!!
My heart missed a beat, because I knew it would be tough and painful, but I had to do it. The helicopter ride which I had partially counted on was strategically negated by my group as they had planned the climb at night. 13 km, 4 hrs seemed like a major target set for my yearly appraisal, when my boss had decided to fire me soon.
When I looked around, there were member’s who were regular visitors and were planning to take it bare foot, some were planning to run up while I was thinking will I be able to sustain. It was a tug of war between slim and fat, young and old and belief and disbelief.
7.30 PM Feb 5th 2011, is when we started off for the climb in the midst of loud enchants of Jai Mata Di on a road covered with shops hanging souvenirs, head bands and sticks for support. Following the spirit I picked up a headband giving me the look and strength of a pakka bhagat.
My dissatisfying first stop was at first 50 steps on the climb, when I was gasping for breath and my heart was pounding so hard as if it will come out right now. I looked at members of my group who were enviously treading fast on the slope, and I started calculating the hours it will take if I go with this pace. “Jai Mata Di”, said my friend with smile and gave me a sip of water. He told me, this is how it is but it is not impossible.
With further slower steps and strange realization that I have to make it through we started walking forward. After a few quarter to half kilometers(couldnt count kilometers), we joined back with my group who were dancing on the beats of Dhol. Amazed by their enthusiasm and encouraged by the beats I joined in Bhangra steps.
Enchanting Jai Mata Di with a strong belief in almighty together with infectious vivaciousness of my group, their encouragement at various steps when I was tired and my friend’s constant support eventually helped me climb the rest of the 9 kms(in 5 hours, not a bad target achievement in IT). As we climbed further heights, the winds and the view brought with it a freshness of an early morning stroll. Refreshing cold water bath took away all the tiredness and we were soon standing in the queue for the eternal Darshan of Mata Vaisho Devi.
People have a strong belief, that her view is possible only if she sends you an invitation and yes I was standing there in front for her, with hands folded in bow. It was she who had called me here, it was she who wished I should meet her which made me reach here.
It was 4.30 AM in the morning and the next major step was Bhairon Baba temple, which was another 1.5 kms with a steep climb. I had given up hope as I was aware that I had to walk back 13 kms, but the spiritualist girl among us forced me to complete this important and mandatory Darshan. I couldn’t possibly walk back if I climbed it, so planned to board a horse(pittu).
It was the most horrendous experience(where I felt the importance of a seat belt), with a Langoor making an anti climax entry, making the pittu take a U turn to my horror. Adding to the romance of the trip was a continuous down pour of rain along with strong wind sweeping us of our feet. The improved weather did help us walk down quickly but baby steps to avoid slipping and leading to severe calf pains.
Last 2 kms felt like a never ending lap in the race to home, which was made worse by a gentle man’s suggestion to take the stairs in the last lap. 163 plus, 60 plus and misguided 531 steps later my walk was reduced from a human to a penguin stroll.
Just then my friend pointed towards the same peak which I had doubted yesterday and I couldn’t stop myself from a smile in jubilation, “WE MADE IT POSSIBLE”.
My sincere thanks to my great friends and Route 2M family members who planned, encouraged and supported me in making this mission possible. Jai Mata Di!!
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Family No. 1!!
It’s said, Friends are better than family, as we can chose them.
Route 2M, a cryptic name for some has emerged as a god given family to us. Each one of us has found a relation which has been our support when we were dull, has given us strength when we were tired and given us hope when we were lost in disillusions of corporate world.
Every member in this family has a beautiful role to play in our life which makes it a whole. From Lata mangeshkars of the world to Sachin Tendulkars, from great gamblers to “Ghar ki Bahus”, all cheer up for each other, for five days morning & evening for 1.30 hours.
The length of journey, which is unbearable for non family members who rarely get to sleep, is enviously very short for our family, as we have never felt the pain of non adjustable seats of the royal brand.
A true representation of multi cultural India, with a conglomeration of Punjab, UP, Himachal, Bihar, but the common religion which ties us together is a single word, enjoyment. Every day is sparked by the brilliantly imagined game plans, whether it is drawing the road side signals on a touch screen, to dumb charades, cut the cake, UNO, antakshari and recent additions like volley ball, clap at 3 and dictionary.
Extending this spirit are numerous parties for birthdays, Roka, engagements where members celebrate their happiness. Saviors for these treats range from temptations, grilled sandwiches, patties but the venue is always the same, our not so hygienic but a very warm spirited bus, where we are not charged on a per plate basis. It is an open house, where we can snatch from each others hand but it is ensured the driver always gets a share for bearing the loud voices and longs waits on the stops when some members are late.
Work pressure, boss problems, personal issues are never discussed within the group but are every day replaced by jokes, leg pulling, a melodious song and special dance parties on numerous occasions. It makes us feel the comfort of home, before reaching our own families. Bahu’s feel free to dance, sing and enjoy forgetting silence & shyness they have to maintain at home and married men for once just forget that they are tied to commitments. Our spirit has encouraged some shy members to dance on an unimaginable dance floor and reacting to the video coverage as if he/she would soon be on television.
A family which is hard to part with, a family which is always there for us and a family where we can be what we are, is our family No. 1..the Route 2M family!!
Dedicated to all the members of my family who have shared with me a great bond, the Route 2M bond!!
Route 2M, a cryptic name for some has emerged as a god given family to us. Each one of us has found a relation which has been our support when we were dull, has given us strength when we were tired and given us hope when we were lost in disillusions of corporate world.
Every member in this family has a beautiful role to play in our life which makes it a whole. From Lata mangeshkars of the world to Sachin Tendulkars, from great gamblers to “Ghar ki Bahus”, all cheer up for each other, for five days morning & evening for 1.30 hours.
The length of journey, which is unbearable for non family members who rarely get to sleep, is enviously very short for our family, as we have never felt the pain of non adjustable seats of the royal brand.
A true representation of multi cultural India, with a conglomeration of Punjab, UP, Himachal, Bihar, but the common religion which ties us together is a single word, enjoyment. Every day is sparked by the brilliantly imagined game plans, whether it is drawing the road side signals on a touch screen, to dumb charades, cut the cake, UNO, antakshari and recent additions like volley ball, clap at 3 and dictionary.
Extending this spirit are numerous parties for birthdays, Roka, engagements where members celebrate their happiness. Saviors for these treats range from temptations, grilled sandwiches, patties but the venue is always the same, our not so hygienic but a very warm spirited bus, where we are not charged on a per plate basis. It is an open house, where we can snatch from each others hand but it is ensured the driver always gets a share for bearing the loud voices and longs waits on the stops when some members are late.
Work pressure, boss problems, personal issues are never discussed within the group but are every day replaced by jokes, leg pulling, a melodious song and special dance parties on numerous occasions. It makes us feel the comfort of home, before reaching our own families. Bahu’s feel free to dance, sing and enjoy forgetting silence & shyness they have to maintain at home and married men for once just forget that they are tied to commitments. Our spirit has encouraged some shy members to dance on an unimaginable dance floor and reacting to the video coverage as if he/she would soon be on television.
A family which is hard to part with, a family which is always there for us and a family where we can be what we are, is our family No. 1..the Route 2M family!!
Dedicated to all the members of my family who have shared with me a great bond, the Route 2M bond!!
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