15 - TRAVEL TRAVAILS

Having to commute to work by taxi or bus has a unique set of hurdles.  The first one is that I should be able to board a bus.  The next is that the bus may be overcrowded.  If it is not, then I can be seated.  But certain factors can mar the joy. 

I may sound like a pessimist but that is the truth and has to be accepted and explained..  All may seem well,  but soon the peace within the bus is shattered by a loud voice, instructing a colleague, on the mobile,  how to tackle a fussy customer.   And another shrieky female voice, argueing aka Arnab Goswami, but on the mobile,  that the new flat should have blue tiles and not the grey ones............

All this is the noise pollution within the bus.   The loud, incessant honking of the traffic outside, creates an unbearable din on the exterior of the bus, which violates  the ear drums of all passengers within the bus too.

The last straw is when the strong stench of a garbage truck overwhelms the senses.   With the traffic moving at a snail's pace,  I am forced to watch the garbage truck preceding my bus and to breathe in the foul air.

So the senses run riot during my bus journey home.   Of course, the pot holes add the normal bumps and subsequent bruises that occur.

But recently, I can overcome these tortures.......I shut my eyes and transport myself to France and Switzerland......where my children and I had toured last month.    The smooth roads,  the unspoilt natural scenery,  the peaceful silent roads.     That was so strange.  The motorists do not honk at all in Pairs and Germany.    Traffic signals are obeyed and every vehicle respects the zebra crossings.   Oh my India,  I wish every driver would get a chance to experience driving in Europe, and emulate the traffic discipline.

Also, the road repair department should attend a workshop in France, as to how to build and maintain smooth, pothole free, clean roads.

14 - THE BUS STOP

The BEST bus routes are the safest way to travel in Mumbai.     But not the most regular mode of transport sadly.   I have waited for more than two hours for the bus to arrive and with no other choice of travel at the spot.  

If only the BEST would have a GPS tracking system at every bus stop,  then commuters could easily realize when a particular bus would be expected.  Preferably access to the monitor should be easy,  similar to the railway monitors that are available on railway stations. I have waited for a bus for almost 2 hours........sad but true.   And on such occasions there is not even an unoccupied taxi available. 

Once,  after having waited for almost an hour, in vain, I decided to walk, and then the bus passed by.
If only a GPS would have been installed,  the BEST would get more passengers too.

Sometimes, due to morchas or certain religious processions,  buses are diverted.  The unaware passengers continue to wait and suffer.  Technology should be used to reduce the trials of humans and the BEST can do so.  The advertiser on a particular bus stop should be made to sponsor the GPS monitor.  I sincerely look forward to this upgradation by the BEST.

Another change that I would like to suggest, is that the steel bus shelters are very uncomfortable to sit because the backrest bars are too close to the perpendicular angle of the seating plank.  the backrest bars need to be dismantled and welded to the second vertical curved supports.  This will enable the passengers to sit comfortably on the seating support.  Presently it is not at all easy nor restful to sit on the  seating,  as the backrest bars are too close for comfort.

Are you ready to revamp your facilities dear  BEST???    You will surely increase your revenue.

One more suggestion, is that, the bus stops should be clean.  Especially the Mumbai central bus depot.  It is your flagship stop.  I pass by every morning and evening.  At both times, there is a garbage pile around the area.  Of course, in the morning I am in a taxi, since the BEST randomly cancels  or changes major bus routes.  The 64 route was randomly cancelled.......then reinstated, after I had taken the initiative to collect more than a thousand signatures (with phone numbers)  and requested the then head, mr Khobargade,  and begged and requested certain MLA's to intervene.  And then the route was randomly diverted...........so unexpected and unexplained and below the belt.

Please dear BEST,  I request you to live up to the acronym you boast about.

13 - YEOOR AND HE

   Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder .....is  a famous proverb.   But it is only partly true.    Beauty is also  an inherent physical asset that is not too common.   As a Mumbaikar,  one gets to admire shop window displays  and that's it.    I prefer to see beauty in more natural objects.

   On a trek through Yeoor,  the pretty yellow lilies blooming along the forest floor of Sanjay Gandhi National Park,  were beautiful.    Their bright yellow hue was in stark contrast to the dead leaves strewn around them.

   When I cross the roads near Metro theatre at Dhobi Talao,  the miniscule, colourful primroses,  are a treat to walk along.   Pink, orange, white, purple primroses,  altogether in little clusters of colour,  among a bed of their slightly rough aromatic bright green foliage.  The Maker must have invented them when He was at leisure to indulge Himself with such intricities.

   Closer to my home,  as I enter the neighbourhood,  pretty clusters of periwinkle greet me with their bright pink plumes.   I walk past looking in their direction and breathing in their slightly  sharp scent.   Such humble flowers and yet so they lend an exotic setting to the cement and stone and tar that surrounds this area.   Their shiny leaves frame the beautiful flora.

   These flowers are quite common in the  Mumbai metro city.    The symmetry and perfection that each little flower displays is very interesting.  And all these humble flowers are of medicinal value too.  So I can say 'beauty with a cause'.

 

12 - .............AND MORE ECSTASY

Shopping for the family's needs is a regular and lonely chore.   Sometimes for vegetables and fruits at the Nana Chowk Bhajigalli,  and other times at the Reliance and Nature's Basket stores at Mahalaxmi.    The pain is that the BEST bus service to my residence  is irregular and taxi drivers seem to purposely ignore you,  if you are in desperate need for one,  with lots of loaded bags etc.    

Today was my first day of school with students, after the summer holidays and I was extra tired.    To add to my sorrows,  the Reliance security misplaced a  cardboard box that I had checked in with them.   When I reached  the bus stop, laden with my bags,  the seating was occupied by some insensitive rich person's driver and he also had the temerity to block the bus stop with the uber expensive vehicle.     Passing taxis were occupied or heading home for Friday prayers.    After almost one hour,  I managed to flag down a cab and he decided to take me along Peddar Road.   

At the Cadbury Junction,  I peer to my left,  whenever I'm on my way towards Kemp's corner.   It has become an involuntary gesture through the years that I have lived in south Mumbai.    No,  you are mistaken if you assume that I am trying to catch a glimpse of the designer clothes' shops.   I am paying my obeisance to the nightingale of India.   The talented and famous Lata Mangeshkar,  who lives at an iconic building at this junction.  

Today,  the sight was an exotic one.   God had decorated her residence around the walls with the prettiest white bougainvillea,  (I think),  in full bloom.    The sight is such a pretty picture that all my woes were forgotten and I felt a sudden peace. 

I would not have agreed readily with anyone,  if they had said that flowers can change one's mood,  because I abhor being gifted flowers that wither and die within a few hours.   But the pure white flowers blooming over Lata Mangeshkar's compound wall,   seem to be a heavenly cloud or halo that is extremely aesthetic to look at.   I  wish that I could 'stand and stare'  to my heart's content. 

Anyway,  the pretty image is embedded into my memory.

11 - WHAT GETS ME ECSTATIC.........

Our school organises a picnic for the students and of course, teachers have to go along and be alert,  keeping the childrens' safety in mind.  But teachers are allowed to enjoy the picnic too.   Our last outing was to Tikuji-ni-wadi,   at Thane.   I enjoyed the journey much more than the destination,   especially to the venue.  

The weather in the early morning is pleasant and all the kids are happy and eager,  and full of happy anticipation.    The traffic is moving smoothly and the fresh breeze is almost pollution free.    The sights and sounds along the road are viewable,  unlike the ones when one travels by the local train.

On this particular trip, what made me ecstatic,  were the blooming Jacaranda trees along the Vikhroli highway.   All the trees were in full bloom and their soft purple blossoms lined the central path of the highway for a few kilometres.   It was as though God had used his paints to beautify the roads for us!

The other sight that gave me a high were the birds.   Along the highway to Tikuji-ni-wadi,   there are a few high rises which are connected by electrical wires or so it seemed from the moving bus.   Atop these wires,  families of birds were perched, probably chatting and deciding the day's schedule among themselves.     The silhouette that these birds presented seemed almost ethereal.   There were parrots,  crows and sparrows.  When I see birds and animals that happily and freely co-exist on this planet,  an inherent calm assurance overwhelms me,  that all is safe and that the world is a happy place to be in.

The feelings of peace are not a little influenced by the fact that the parents of the students who have come along,   have faith in us as teachers and guardians.    That they have allowed their wards to travel in our custody.

So,  as a teacher,  I too enjoy a picnic,  but for different reasons.

 

10 - TWITTER MADE ME BITTER

The current problem that I have to overcome is my daughter's status.   I was just recalling  when my parents were looking out for a match for me,  the 'obstacles' that had been paramount.

 The first question was whether I was a graduate.    To my sorrow,  I had not seen the need to graduate.    My parents always reminded me that God made a woman to bear children and rear them and to care for a family.   Housework was important,  not being a graduate.   But the 'boys' demanded that first.

The next question was whether I would 'work' after marriage.    My mother would vehemently say 'of course not!'    I was touted as a docile housewife material.   Not too many 'boys'
 wanted an ordinary wife.

The next statement would never be worded because it was for all to see that I was not a fashion diva.   My father believed that a girl should be simple and that's it.  No make up, no stylish haircut,  no latest jeans and heels.   So all this played against me when ever a boy agreed to visit with marriage on his mind.

And then,   a boy agreed to marry me.    He was happy that his wife would not be more educated than him  or earn more than him.

But in this age, education and salary is not the issue that prospective couples compare.  It is their internet ratings.   How many tweets,   who are the followers,  and what topics are being brandished on the individual's twitter account,  is the bone of contention.   Who is saying what as a response,  seems to cause a lot of heart burn.     The male ego is offended if the girl has a much larger following than him.   He quarrels and argues and causes bad blood in the relationship.  What?  The girl's  tweets are 59.1K with 11.1K followers?  And the boy has only 11.7K tweets and only 376 followers?  A very huge ego battle ensuses and escalates and destroys affection and respect and trust. 

The girl is expected to allow the boy to access her passwords and then he  plays havoc on her twitter account by  deleting - questioning  the integrity of any 'follower' - and interfering  by posting  his remarks  etc.      The intention of certain guys who he feels are not honourable enough,   are deleted ASAP.    The boy behaves like a censorboard official.   His whim and fancy are not to be questioned.   If a certain twitter follower on the girl's account makes him see red,   then that person has to be axed from her account.  A taliban mentality. No explanations,  only tempers rise.  The tragedy of Shashi Tharoor and Sunanda Pushkar is a glaring example of twitter hacking leading to death.

No problem in that if the girl is ready to be a doormat.    But my daughter is not of that category and so the problem grows.     She checks the boy's account on twitter and questions him about the sleazy girls that follow him.   'What can I do about that?'   "I am on twitter, only to enhance my professional contacts."     What a sop.   Come on boys,  don't let a mere twitter account hurt your male ego.   Grant the girl the expertise she has used to achieve a large twitter following.   And please don't be so petty as to blame it all on 'disrespectable conversations'.

If you are man enough to court and woo a girl of that caliber,  then grant her the liberty of being professional and respect her abilities.  Cherish her integrity and nurture faith and trust.  It is so unfair to try to crush someone else's twitter account when that is exactly what had brought you both together.   And it is your loss if you mistrust her at every step,,,,,,,trust has to be paramount in true love and future happiness.   In any relationship and with any girl,  there are times when suspicion is aroused but one must see the truth and not be swayed by rumour.  To trust anyone,   you must give them a chance to be trustworthy.  And it begins with not letting twitter get the better of you.

  But because I have been witness to the break up because of an ego tussle about twitter,   I am very bitter about twitter.

9 - DISILLUSIONED

I visit the market  almost daily.   Mostly to buy fruit.  But lately the strawberries seem lack luster.   Actually  these were my main purchase because strawberries are a cancer preventive.  Since I lost my husband to the disease,  I wanted to use preventive measures to keep his children safe.   But to my sorrow,  it has now occurred to me  that that is not the only cause of malaise that can affect humans,,,there are emotional stresses that can kill too.

So now the strawberries do not seem so important in my scheme of things.

This season of grapes and oranges and pomegranates was always a delight for me.    Buying wholesale and then juicing the fruit was always a source of joy for me because it made my family happy.    But lately it does not make me happy to make anyone else happy,  since a certain visitor has taken away my joy of life.     I never thought that one person could destroy and crush me so.

Now I buy the fruit but have no will to juice it.  They rot and get thrown.   I know what I must do but my will is gone.    The futility of life when dreams are broken and promises are forgotten.  And the worst part is that that person is oblivious to the sorrow that he has caused.

This time shall pass too,  but will never be forgotten.

8 - NO TIME,,,,,,NO INTENTION.......NO CHIVALRY.

A friend of mine has just posted this famous poem on his facebook status.....no time to stand and stare........

We are all free to do what we want and yet we are not able to do whatever we would like to accomplish.   I would love to practise my music and learn to play the violin.....but priority takes over and housework tires me out.....so music is shelved. 

The current obsession on my agenda is "finding"  a groom for my daughter.    How can I make her marry any man when she has a mind of her own???    One 'suitable groom'  wants a slim girl and insults a girl by  telling her to 'look elsewhere'   ,   while another  'probable groom"  backs off for not being able  to stand up to his family for 'his love'.     Where are the 'Prithviraj Chavans'  and 'Ranjhas" of today.........no,  love is not a sacred word anymore.  The young man of today is too weak to stand up and support the girl he professes to love and adore.     It all fizzles out when he is put to the test of true love and has to live upto the vows he made in private,  to win over the girl.   Dear boys of the world,  a girl needs you to be true and faithful and then you will get faithfulness in return.

What I abhor is that uncannily,  it is usually the boy's mother who  is the one to object and prevent the son from living upto his 'promises' to his chosen girl.   The mother,  a woman herself,   destroys another woman's world.   The mother,  a woman herself,   forgets that she too was accepted by her mother-in-law not so long ago.  Even an arranged match needs adjustment.    

This message is for all 'mama's boys',,,,,  please do not delude a girl into a romantic relationship unless you have the guts to fulfill your commitment to the girl. 

So,  just as I have shelved my love for playing the violin,,,  the boy who has  ;'no time'  must not be adventurous and should please his mother only,,,,,,,maybe he is the type who will always tell his mother and sister  that they are  the only women in his life.     Such a boy should never marry and give his wife the second place in his heart......after all his mother is a wife first and has her 'first place' in her husband.s heart already.    Besides if there are siblings,  then the mother loves all,  so why should one of them pretend to love her more than anyone else??    Since I have come across this real life confusion,  it belies probability  and logic.

So the paramount problem that I face is how do I find an acceptable match for my daughter......she has a mind of her own that is so difficult for me to decipher.

 

7 - THE AMBANI ROLE MODEL

A very rich personality,  someone who had all the good things in life,  and was obviously out of shape,  was woken up by a taunt,  to get back into shape.  Aka Abraham Lincoln, who grew a beard on the advice of a school girl.   Our rich and wise man, is Anil Ambani.   Anyone who goes for early jogs along Marine Drive,  is familiar with this man's sincere commitment to achieve and maintain the goal he set for himself,  to keep in physical shape.   No matter how rich one is,  each one has to work hard, to keep a non paunchy figure.  This sincerity has earned him my respect.

I  have started going for walks along the sea face,  to motivate my daughter to become slim -  a goal she has to achieve, in order to live upto the expectations of eligible bachelors.    We also go to the Hanging Garden, via the secret steps.    The garden is pristine,  but the vehicles and stalls on its outskirts are a painful experience.  Expensive cars are owned by rich people,  who display their callous side by honking unreasonably,  breaking the one way rule to suit themselves,  eating and drinking and littering the road.  The two gardens have fountains that are switched off by 8pm.   So whenever we manage to visit during the 'on' time,  it is a very aesthetic experience.

The problems along Marine Drive are caused by vehicles too.  The police encourage 4 wheelers and 2 wheelers to park on the beach and the footpath along it.   Pedestrians have to dodge vehicles while walking on the footpath,  and the last straw that breaks the camel's back,  is the audacity of the riders to honk nonstop when they approach pedestrians from behind.

Along the seaface,  hawkers are all targeting the public to buy neon lighted bands,  'make-a-wish' lanterns,  lighted up hairbands,  tea-water-bournvita,  When I used to visit the seaface as a child,  I can recall only the freshwater coconut sellers and  vendors roasting corn-on-the-cob.   The problem with hawkers is that they make the beach their home.   They live on the beach and use the sea as their open latrine.   That is the dark side of allowing anyone to earn a livelihood unchecked.   Sometimes,  I almost feel that I'm walking along Dharavi.   But the people are almost oblivious to the vicious circle that they create, when they provide sales for these squatters.

  Now it is the rule that every walker has headphones plugged into their ears,  or they are listening and chatting with someone on their mobile.    And the 'selfie' fad is the most popular obsession I have observed.   Once dogs had been banned from being walked along the seaface,  but now,  dogs are walked here and no one enforces rules that were once set,,,,,,,,and then the rules 'are forgotten'.

The majestic Saifee Hospital is aesthetically illuminated, a treat one can witness only as a night walker.

Nowadays,  it is the wedding season and at the gymkhanas across the seaface,  gaudily decorated and ostentatiously lighted up shamianas are seen almost daily.   What makes me angry is that there are always people trying to cross the road randomly,  braving the obstacle of having to climb over the  cement road dividers.  And of course, the 2 wheeler dare devils,  who decide that they can speed and shout and 'enjoy' themselves.

As we take our round along the seaface,  we observe the  'serious walkers'   wearing expensive nikes and adidas shoes and the 'evening out'  ones,  who just prefer to  sit along the platforms.  The next category is that of the lovers,   sitting very close to each other,   some of them a bit apart-arguing with each other,  and others with little kids playing nearby,,,,,,,every stage highlighting the time frame of the relationship.

The walk along the sea face,  is a refreshing experience,  in spite of the numerous downsides.   God has made the sea have its soothing waves, that you can fine tune your ears to be able to hear.   And the sky above which encompasses eternity,  keeps me enthralled and motivated to walk along the shores of the Arabian Sea.