#StartaNewLife : Of Hope and Dreams

Sometimes the boldest decisions of our lives come at a time when we are shattered, hopeless and nothing more to lose – at least in our mind. Such phase came in my life not once but twice – where it appeared to me as point of no return.

First, way back in the early 2000, when despite getting through and successfully completing 2 semesters of my post grads I had to drop out of my studies due to unavoidable situations. Future looked completely bleak. I had almost given up on my life. Never before had I stepped out of my house. But it was now or never. Mind had almost surrendered but heart was ready to give one last fight. Pulled up all my might to study and sat for this exam. Not only cleared the exam and MBA college interview, here I was in the heart of India, its capital Delhi.

Source :daphneng.deviantart.com

Delhi brought a new enthusiasm with it in my life. I was ready to embrace it. New place, new people and for the first time was experiencing a hostel life – mixed emotion of anxiety and excitement had overwhelmed me. I was stepping into a new life, away from home. For the first time, the protective child in me had to be let gone and independent sensible individual had to step in. Good thing about B Schools is that it gives very limited time for you to think and ponder on. From new classes to ragging to making friends to hostel food to team projects, new life was alive and kicking in full flow. Time just passed by. The biggest asset my stay in Delhi and that education in that campus gave me beside great friendship, was confidence and to face any situation whatsoever. Once I stepped out of that campus 2 years after, there wasn't any looking back.

My second transition was when I made my move to the city of dreams – Bombay, now Mumbai. It was that point of life, when pessimism was back in my life – even as I kept wondering where I went wrong in my efforts that rewards stayed away from me. Angry, hurt and disillusioned – I would have none. No logic, no counselling could help my cause. The office where I shared so many good moments had turned into a mess for me overnight. All I knew was that it was point of no return for me and I just could not go back to that office and its people any more.

Source : jenilmahetaliamumbai.blogspot.com

A new city and new life was ready to embrace me. My close friends were left behind. Honestly did not know, if I was happy or sad. Just went with the flow hoping life had saved the best for me. Found a new home and nice people. Missed my old life but probably it was the hope of something fruitful something better kept me going. It’s been 5 monsoons since then in Mumbai – the rains, the heat, the traffic, the crowd and the pace; everything has been part of me and I, a part of it. Inseparable.

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Bring it On - With Smile and Grit !!!!!

In a day when the documentary film, which deep dives into the mindset of rapist and talks about the sickening male mindset that is widely prevalent in India – is bound to bring instant gloominess and pessimism, it is important that we don't give up hope. Women just does not fight rape, the biggest battle they have to fight and probably by large we as a society is against the mindset that doesn't consider them as equal, which is ingrained in a boy right from his growing years. In a country where the struggle for a girl begin right from their mother womb to fighting for their basic constitutional rights, it is important to let the world know the stories of Hope as well.

Source : www.thebusinesswomanmedia.com

My first story is of a very charming educated working girl, well settled in the plush city of Mumbai. Looking at her from a distance, one would feel envy of her – life seems to be perfect and world seems to running behind her. At a closer look, she is fighting her own demons – fighting to do well in her job, fighting to keep a work-life balance and in a desperate attempt to keep everyone happy, probably losing the battle. Over cup of tea, in a lazy afternoon, she casually mentions with a smile that “I know my boss wants me out at any cost”. At almost in the same breath, she also mentions that she will work on her weak areas and fight it out, and  not call it quits come what may. There is an amazing grit and determination I love about her. A  belief that probably someday she would be able to change the pre-conceived mindset about her. One workstation in our office, which probably burns midnight oil, each day, is probably hers. Yet there is a smile and sparkle in her eyes that is unmissable. Amidst the hustle bustle of her daily struggle, she reminds me that she has a date with her dreams to keep as well- to start up a new venture of her own. Wow, suddenly I feel so much better – suddenly my own dreams of becoming a serious writer come alive.

Source : gagthat.com

Talking about alive, how can one forget this friend of mine – Full of life, infusing energy in each moment of her life and ours too, with a confidence unmatched. Yet her world came crushing down – few months back when she was detected with cancer. Shocked, angry and depressed, with a lot of apprehension, not knowing what to say, called her up. I was pleasantly surprised by the composure in her voice, when she in a restrained voice  informed me about it. Instead of me reassuring her, it was she who was reassuring me that everything would be fine. She spoke valiantly how she will go any end and come out winner. And she literally did and still doing. Saw her running pillar to post, ensuring she did everything right and much more to win the battle against cancer. Was it easy – No. There was umpteen sacrifices, including giving up her entire lifestyle. Not for a day I saw gloom in her eyes. May be she had her days when she would have wept in her room; at least she did not let the world know. 

I read somewhere which is so true-  in the sunny days, we can all shine, but it’s in the rainy day, when there is no hope, one has to stand up to be the hope people are looking for. These girls are the brightest example of that. I feel humbled by their stories. Not only their stories are inspiring but also bring out much needed hope and optimism this world needs.

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Travel Diaries ::: Toast to Life !!!!!

What a year it has been so far. Bangalore, Pondicherry, Delhi, Chennai Jaipur and still Kolkata to go – Phew!  Am I complaining? – Not at all. The best thing about travelling is that it not only enriches you with experience – it makes you learn and unlearn about people, places at the same time.

My soul has been captive for a while now, lingering in the cells of Excel and Word of the world, trying to make a living for itself. So at the first opportunity, it got, it decided to break free. And here it was walking freely and breathing fresh air, at the serene beaches of Pondicherry. The word Free- is quite freely used these days. No pun intended but more on that later.

As we (me and my friends) took a walk in the evening at the Promenade beach, we were reminded of our very own Marine drive, where we used to frequent once upon a time in life. Of course the hustle-bustle of the city life was distinctly missing though we definitely did not miss it much. As we strolled further, one thing that struck me was how easily people from foreign shores had managed to adopt our culture, both in terms of dressing, style or otherwise, of course adding their own bling to it. And here we were, even after staying so many generations together; failed to adopt each other’s culture and religion.

There is something very sedate about this French colony. Be it the back waters, beaches, the houses or food joint, every element, adds perfectly to the tranquility of this place. While the whole nation wanted to know from the itinerary to spread, of Uncle Sam’s Visit in Delhi, far away I was basking in the arms of Mother Nature. Suddenly Face book and Twitter felt secondary. A long conversation was what inner self was looking for instead or may be a long awaited letter was waiting to be penned down.

Delhi has been in news this month more than one reason apart from of course my visit and yes of Uncle Sam too. Lol. AAP’s victory was more like Media’s victory over Modi, salvaging some self-esteem after being royally ignored post LS Elections. Never short of classic headlines or lack of it – TOI panned out next day – AAP’s sweep with “Broom-Astra” – and once again it made me wonder – what was cheesier – the TOI headlines or the couple PDA on my Face-book Timeline. Ha ha, poor jealous heart of mine. While PDA is freely available on our timeline these days, promises of AAP have been also been pretty free flowing pre-elections. From oxygen to Wi-Fi – Delhi is all geared for being free-hold state. Last heard, Wi-fi would be free for 30 minutes in Delhi – Married men are still not complaining as they feel paid Wi-Fi is a better bargain than Wife.

Unfortunately, in India, while scarce resource like water and electricity may be offered free, freedom of expression doesn't come free of cost, as AIB would have learnt it the hard way. Poor guys, little did they knew that irony would catch up with them in form of lawmakers, and turned them into one what they had set out to achieve – The Roast. Talking of Roast, we should all raise toast to AAP, not because of their humungous win, but to drive home the larger point- Nothing is invincible and change is inevitable. Be it success, failure or relationships. Hmmm....

While the Muffler-man fulfilled his mission of winning Delhi, it is time to recall mine undertaken at the end of last year – from being Fat to Fit. Unfortunately the same has hit a major roadblock – thanks to my over-indulgence of flavoursome, delectable mouth watering cuisine in recent times. From French cuisines of Pondicherry to Lal Maas in Jaipur, my tummy has witnessed all sorts of yummies.

While travel is enriching, what makes it special, is the people with or for whom you travel. Would the boat ride to Paradise Beach as much as fun as the sun down party in Jaipur, if there weren't friends around to share a drink or a selfie?  Wouldn’t my Delhi trip been bland had I not been able to surprise my brother who donned a stunned look at my presence. Yes these little moments make life memorable.

Memorable reminds me of the Jaipur trip, where we had our Off-site recently. Blast would be an understatement. Be it dancing together during the live concert of Euphoria or watching the sun slowly sink behind the landscape, leaving our eyes to brood over a crimson red sky or sharing a joke under the carpet of stars, we celebrated life as if there was no tomorrow. Sometimes indeed random people and random moments make for the best toast for life. Did I miss someone – I did miss a few. I wished they were with me, sharing those moments of joy. Your heart quietly tells you missed them, as they are special.

Thankfully, all we need is few good men or women in our lives, who are there to make our life Awesme. Not just when we are partying but otherwise too. Be it over phone or workplace, or sometimes even when you are stuck in the busy streets of Bombay, there might be someone beside you, trying to bring smile in your face. Time to remind, its Mumbai now. Alas after so many years I still am striving to be politically correct J

Picture Credit : Picture 1: Sandeep Balan. Rest : Google.