“Friend after friend departs; who hath not lost a friend? There is no union here of hearts that hath not here its end.”

Title Courtesy: James Montgomery, British poet and Editor

This is an old post saved in my draft section. I forgot to publish it. This post was written on 3^rd June. Please read it keeping this in mind. 

Experience, not work experience but general experience does not teach everything. However, it make us mature enough to curb our desires.

I am talking about the experience of departing from your friends. It does not matter how many times you have experienced it, you always feel a pain. 

I will leave Kolkata on 5^th June. I was here from 11 April. Although, I was living alone, I really have made few good friends who also lives in the same apartment and work at the same company. They have invited me to their flat for a drink 3,4 times. It was always a wonderful experience. We all really got attached by in just 2 months. Perhaps, their mother tongue is also Hindi and not Bengali may be a reason. We had some very nice experiences in park street. I will miss them all.

But, sometimes I thought, while departing , we make promises with each other and later after  months we restrain from talking to each other. That’s because with time, our priorities changed, we became married, we will have kids but that does at all mean that we have forgot each other.

We should not take these small things in her heart but instead we should always cherished the memories that we have shared in the past.

I tried very hard from meeting one of the old friend in Kolkata from almost 2 months. He keep on delaying.  When I can be lazy sometimes, anybody can be lazy. We should accept that fact.

 And now the time had came for me to go. He recently got married in Jan 2011. I don’t have any grudges against him. May be it is not the will of the GOD that we have not meet.  After all, everything happens for a reason.

A journey from 2 days long party to hangover without sleep

Its 3.16 AM in my laptop. I have my train at 7 in the morning from Sealdah and therefore I have to leave at around 5 am. As we are drinking from last 2 days continuously, I decided not to sleep otherwise I will miss my train. I have missed many important things just because of little more sleep. I am very greedy in terms of sleep. We have promised to lie awake but now, at this moment, we are so drunk that all of them had fallen in sleep. I cannot as I have to leave in next 2 hours. It was a very good experience in Kolkata. I have came to Kolkata first time in my life and because of these friends, I have enjoyed the every bit of my 8 weeks stunt. There is no other option except blogging to pass these 2 hours otherwise I will fall in to sleep. 

One thing I want to make a note of is Akshay’s favorite song is  ‘Tujhe naraz nahi zindagi’ from the movie Masoom and Manoranjan’s ‘Roj Roj aankho tale, ek hi sapna ‘ from the movie Jeeva.

I played this song so many times. Some other songs that I have played today which makes the ambience very sentimental are as follows:

Song Name	Movie/Artist Name
Barsaat ke mausam mein	Najayaaz
Tere dar pe sanam	Phir teri kaahani yaad aayi
Mein teri mohabbat mein pagal ho jayunga	Tridev
Tumhe apna banana ki kasam khayi hai	Sadak
Ankh hai bhari bhari	TUmse acha kaun hai
Phir haath mein sharaab hai	Pankaj Udhaas

With these songs, there was water in everybody’s eyes. Everybody was appreciating me for playing such a nice song. One of them suggested me to be a DJ but the songs that I play generally are not of that type. Yes, I can be a dJ in any bar for heart-broken people. 

Manoranjan was trying hard to remain awake but just before half an hour, he also fall asleep.

Thanks to Jasdeep, Manoranjan, Sandeeo, Shaishank for making my stay wonderful in Kolkata.

An owl and mother

9:45 pm

I am sitting on top of the terrace. It is a very small area. I was thinking from the last many days to bring my laptop here but  found difficult to overcome the laziness. Also, reaching top is bit difficult, there are no staircases. One has to climb the water tap and perform some other easier stunts to reach there. Today, as only 8 days are left, I packed my laptop in bag, overcome my laziness and climbed the water tank to reach the top. It was a quite nice peaceful place. Howrah Bridge is about 9, 10 km from here but it was visible from here. I am peeping into the windows of neighbors from here. One girl is looking at me and perhaps she is laughing. Perhaps, I am looking crazy here sitting at the terrace at 10pm with my laptop. Nearby houses are not build to this height. So, I was feeling a top of the world.

Fresh cool breeze is the best thing to cure the tiring day. Now, I have decided to come here every day for next week . Writing at such an place is an lifetime experience.

The girl, I just talked about is coming again and again near to her window. I have also played the song “You are beautiful” by James blunt.

The only thing that is worrying me is the hooting of an owl sitting on the top of the house which is on the other side of the road. Everybody is quite aware about the hooting of this owl. Some people even said, it is living here from decades. When I was new here,  hooting appeared to me very scary but gradually I learned to ignore it. But ,now it was pretty hard to ignore. Also, it is very scary. Thought from the movie grudge and other horror movies are coming to my mind. I just search on the net what the hooting signifies. Man, it drives me crazy, so many horrible extreme interpretations. Let us ignore the negative one and just remember about the positive interpretations. The sound is really scary. Let us not talk about an owls. Just like us, they are also the beautiful ugly creation of the god.

Now, I am listening to the real stuff, Bruteforce –‘opportunity denied slaughter the corrupt’, what a lyrics.  I am alone again without you. ….. Leave all, just pink Floyd now…

Coming back to life……..with this I am closing my eyes……..

My mother called me out of her daily routine. We talked and when I told her about owl hooting, she strictly told me to go back to room. She was scared. I moved to my room and forgot my cell over there and began watching TV in dining room.

11.45

After an hour, when I came to my room, I saw 12 miss calls from the my home. It’s my mother no. and I have saved it by the name of ‘my home’. I immediately call back, I was very nervous. MY mother asked if I am alright. She was very worried as I had told her about an owl thing. I said I am perfectly alright. Seeing 12 miss calls from my mother no. had taken a breath out of me. Such are the mothers and such horrible are the interpretation of owls. Caring and crazy.

Blessed to have such a mother.

An evening full of Boredom

Writing is talking to yourself in a more better way and to record the state of thoughts of that instant. It always give me a high. Whenever I have nothing to do like this moment, I often became very nostalgic. Writing is one such thing that always keep me energized. But from last few days, I was feeling an intense impulse to visit my home place. It is very important to refurbish the fading zeal. As my mind is not focused, it affect me in every possible way. My mood was not very good from last few days. Songs like, “Coffee house “ by Manna de are constantly played in my laptop in repeat mode. This song is really masterpiece. Although I didn’t understand a single word of this song as it is in Bengali, still I enjoy listening the very bit of it. It somehow makes me more nostalgic. 

TVS Apache RTR 160, Dwarka sec-22, Delhi

I have not drive my bike, TVS Apache RTR from a long time. It was standing at my home without anybody using it accept the cat to sit on it. I have crossed 25,000 km in just 1.5 years in Delhi. I used to cover 100 Km ever day from Dwarka, Delhi to Noida and back. People says how you are able to drive so much in a heavy traffic. It is because of my love for biking that i didn't fail any pain. I take 1 break while going to office in the Aurangzeb road. It was such a soothing place where i get a chance to see the latest cars and best of the bungalows. This road has the most expensive land in Delhi.

Me Biking in Dwarka, Delhi.

This is another picture of mine taken by me only while returning from the night shift.

I have forgot the taste of the food prepared by mother. How can one forget the taste of food prepared by his mother? Little strange.

Just now, I looked at some of the pictures of my family. It was so refreshing.

I am waiting for the 4' June very desperately to meet my family members and 1 new member, my niece added a month before in our family.

KOlkata Day out-2

I woke up at 1. I was not feeling very good. Only 3 weeks were left in Kolkata, then back to home for a week and then again to Mumbai. I was feeling little homesick. I was not feeling to get up, I remain on bed listening to some music. Suddenly, I came across a blog in which there was a post called 50 New rules of work By Robin Sharma. One of the point was Do things which you don’t do normally, Talk to people you don’t talk normally, Read magazines, you don’t read, Go to places you don’t commonly visit. Disrupts your thinking so that it remains fresh. With this thought in mind, I planned a visit to famous science city. I checked out the site and note down all the relevant details. I also check the other stuff in Science city and one of the blog said, it will take minimum 3 hours. I thought, it’s a good place to spend the evening and as it remain open  till 9 in the night. I planned to leave by 3.30 without worrying about the hot summer. I ordered a Chicken garlic Chowmein for lunch/breakfast. At 3, I went to take a bath. 

At 3:35, I hired a taxi. When you go to unknown place, You always remain scary about the driver whether he is following the longest route. At 4:15, he dropped me and charged 150. I was pretty satisfied with the bill. As I entered, I saw some out of the world buildings which were really giving it a look of Science city. After depositing my bag at cloak counter, I buy the entry ticket which cost around 25 bucks. I take a stroll around whole park. It was very huge, lot of families especially those with small kids had came there. Lovers didn’t even spare this place. They can be seen on the hidden benches. Now, I was tired and want to take a rest. I went to Space theatre. I purchased a ticket of rs. 50 bucks and went inside the theatre. It was almost full, only few rows were vacant in the front. It was looking like hemisphere. I take a seat in one of the row. Movie, was about to start. Guard came to me and asked sir if you are alone. I nodded. He told me, then go to last 2 seats, you will have a ultimate view. They were vacant perhaps nobody was there in a group of 2. Vow, the view was mesmerizing. You can assume it like the PVR, just the difference was screen was everywhere, front, top and both the sides and it was circular in shape. The movie started. Mystery of the Nile. We were feeling like we were sitting in an helicopter and it was moving over the river Nile. It was flying very fast and taking sharp turns. I became discomforted. Suddenly, people and kids began shouting. Now, I thought ohh, it must be some speciality of this Doom shaped theatre of which I was ignorant.

   Courtesy: Science City website:Dome shaped theater inside 

My seat was at such a location that one can cover the maximum portion of the screen. I saw the people in the front rows, they were almost lying. I was comfortable. The only thing was helicopter was taking very sharp turns. And with each turn, people shouts. The kid sitting in front of me picture started crying and stand up on his chair thinking no was sitting behind him. My seat was at much more elevation. The top part in the was screen. I was sitting at the extreme back with at one of the seat of the 2 seats placed differently.

I thought what had happened to the kid. His mother slap him and make him saw me ’She said, Don’t disturb uncle.’ I said, its all right auntie and kid is not disturbing me. I thought if I really look like an Uncle. Perhaps, yes, it was not the first time somebody had said me uncle. Movie ended. Now, it was a time to increase some knowledge. I started reading about the theatre on the walls. I came to know that the device used inside was Astrological projector. It is used to show the movies whose size is 5 times more than the normal movie. Size here was of course not referred to length. It was actually referring to the screen size, I guess. The unique proposition of this device was the audience feel them as a part of movie which I experienced just.

Then, I went to another section. There were lot of machines kept inside the glass. It is written over there to press a switch if you want to see the experiment. All the experiments are clearly explained in a non technical language. I looked at many experiments. I remember my high school days. This place is a must for children. Many of my doubts that I had in childhood cleared today.

One of the experiment was, as we press a button, bubble came out of the tube and began to rise. As, it was rising , its size increases which shows that pressure depend upon the height. As the bubble was rising, pressure was decreasing and it size was increasing. Wow. Another was showing that more than 12 images/ second was perceived as continuous motion. Yupp, Like moving fan. This is called as the persistence of vision.  This was all is a part of space station but to watch, one doesn’t need extra ticket.

I had enough of rest in Centralized AC space theatre. I came out and went to Cable car in which you can see the whole Science city from the top. It was truly a Science city. But, I came to know, this cable car will drop you out of the main entrance. Enjoy this ride at the end when you have completed all the other things. I went to see the Evolutionary park. Its ticket was of 10 bucks. As I entered, I was alone and it was quite dark showing the dinosaurs on both the sides.

Courtesy: Wikipedia: Evolution park

 It was really scary. I began to wait for some other people to join but nobody came. After 2,3 minutes, I started all alone. This park show all the stages of evolution of men with various animals surrounding you on both the sides. Also, there were some very horrible sounds. This park was really a must watch for everybody. Once, I went similar to this park in Delhi, when I was a kid. The picture of my cousins and my relatives came in my mind. It took me 15 minutes to saw this park. It was so hot and humid inside. When I came out, I was literally sweating. It was also written over there, as temperature is not controlled in this park, please bear the inconvenience. I went again to Space theatre and purchased the ticket of 3D movie. It cost me 20 bucks. I went inside. It was a flop show. I dint like it all. It was for the small kids.

I have looked almost all the important things in the Science city. The only thing I didn’t tried was the Time Machine. There were certain instructions like people with so and so problems shouldn’t try it. I was having neck and back pain. Although, these were not mentioned, I didn’t tried that. I thought I had enough. Now, its time to go back to cable car. I purchased a ticket worth 25. I asked him I want to sit alone in the cable and not with other people. He asked me to wait then. I waited for 10 minutes.

Courtesy: Wikipedia.com: View from the Trolley

Journey in the trolley was very nice experience. It just gave the look of whole city. One of thing , I had missed was musical fountains. The trolley stopped exactly over the musical fountains for 2 minutes. It was a wonderful experience, listening to music hanging in the air. With it, ended my Science city visit. I collected my Bag, catch a bus to Behala where I was living. The journey in the bus was very tiring. But, I had planned a dinner meal in Arsalan, lucknawi restaurant in Kolkata. It was bit expensive so in order to compensate, I had managed this part of my journey with bus. 

Finally, dinner was awesome. Lucknawi food is always good in serving mughlai cuisine. This restaurant was near my flat but I didn’t know about it before. How sad. It is good that still I have 3 weeks. My bill came out to be 240/-. But I was very much satisfied. I had 1 plate chicken, garlic naan, coldrink and 1 mutton Biryani. At last, I again take a taxi to home. This time taxi bill was 40. Overall, the day was good.

Science City is a must visit for everyone once. If you are a kid or have kids, then you will like to go there often.

Day out in Kolkata

1^st May
As I woke up, I remember about Behur math, my friend had told me before coming to Kolkata that it is a must visit.

But the laziness is in the air and  as I was living alone. Thought of going alone also discourages me. But visiting places alone is real fun according to last few experiences.

I continued lying but on couch , read newspaper, switched on the TV. I looked at it on the net. I thought it would be  worth going.   I kept on thinking about it and without doing anything. At around 11, a servant came and started changing the bed sheet and pillow cover.

I was in the Kolkata for 8 weeks and was given a 1 BHK by the company. I had not hired the servant, he was just a care taker to look after all the guests of the company. I asked him about Behur math and how good is the place, how to reach there. He answered my all the enquiries. But he was also irritating me. He was so talkative that many times, I stopped listening to him and continued watching television. If I was asking him a question, he  was answering the questions along with dozens of unasked questions.

It was a Hot day. Scorching heat was demotivating my plan. But finally, I thought it’s the first time I had came to Kolkata, enjoy as much as possible. I took out my Aviator, my prized possession, and my small bag and went downstairs. I hired a Taxi till howrah. 

Kolkata taxi. Courtesy: Google Images

I was staying in the Parnashree pally but it is pronounced as Ponnoshree polly by the great Bengalis. Howrah was not very far from here. I reached Howrah in 35 minutes. I saw a Victoria memorial, Eden garden and famous  Maidan of Kolkata and trams. Trams were looking very ultimate and giving the Kolkata 2 contradictory looks simultaneously, advanced as well as old city. Kolkata is the only place in India where trams are still functional. 

Tram Picture Courtesy: indiamike.com/Google images

Maindan Pic Courtesy: Google images/picasaweb.google.com

 

Whenever, I book a private taxi, I interacts with a driver a lot to know the local culture and all the irrelevant details and to cross check the information I had already gathered. Also, In taxis, I love to smoke so purchased a packet of classic regular.

From Howrah, I take a bus to Behur math and reached there at around 3 against my expectations of 3.30. I came to know that Behur math opens at 4 in the evening for the general public. I waited at a book stall outside math. All the books were spiritual and was authored by Swami Vivekanand, Swami Ramakrishna paramhans and the mission. I purchased 2 books over there. I visit a nearby meditation center. I t was so soothing, peaceful and satisfying looking at people sitting with their closed. That way, I pass my time. At 4, I entered in the Behur math. Lot of foreigners were also there. It was a huge place. I deposited my footwear at the counter and went on to see the temple. My heels were burningon the marble flooring. I speed up and visit a temple.

Belur Math is the most enchanting temple in Belur. In 1897 Swami Vivekananda founded Ramakrishna Mission in loving memory of his Guru Ramakrishna Paramhansa who preached unity of all religions. It is the international head quarters of Ramakrishna Mission. Swami Vivekananda is largely credited with the concept of the Math. This mission has branches all over the country. The architecture of the structure is very interesting. From any angle you look at it the structure is like a temple, a mosque or a church depending on the way you look at it. It was founded by Swami Vivekanda. (Bold Text Courtesy: Wikipedia.com)

Coutesy: belurmath.org

Courtesy:meriyatra.com

On the back side of the temple, there was a huge lawn with Ganga river on the other side. Quite beautiful! . Photography was banned there and also I didn’t had any camera. People were sitting along the Ganga river and enjoying the cool breeze in this hot summer. I spotted certain ferries in the river. I enquired from the Local people. Ferries were mostly for the transport purposes for the local people. One of them said you can take a ferry to visit a Dakshineswar Temple. I purchased a ticket and it was only 8 bucks one side.

I asked the ferry person about the time it will take to reach. He told me 25 minutes while going and 15 minutes while coming back. All the funda’s about upstream and downstream that we read in high school came in my mind. Nice!!

Ferry journey was nice away from the hustle and bustle of the city. It was a small boat carrying around 15 persons. I was sitting on the front on the floor made of wood. We pass under the Howrah bridge. 

Howrah Bridge Courtesy: Google images

The waves were very strong. At this point, I pictured a scene in my mind. One from the novel Hungry tide, girl sitting on the boat in the river in sunderban. I was very muck feeling like her. I was exhausted by the Bengali language of people on the boat of which I wasn’t able to understand a bit. My  longing for a camera further deepened.

Dakshineswar Temple Courtesy: Kolkatanow.blogspot.com/Google Images

Dakshineswar temple is dedicated to goddess Kali. The temple is a large elongated building standing on a high platform with a flight of stairs. The three-storeyed south-facing temple has nine spires distributed in upper two storeys. The roof of the spires is beautifully ridged resembling Pirhas. A narrow covered verandah serves the purpose of an audience-chamber attached to the sanctum where the goddess Dakshina Kali stands on the breast of Shiva.(Bold Text Courtesy: Wikipedia.com)

It was nice temple but the only problem was there was a huge rush. And, I also become tired after sweating in buckets from the morning. I expedited my visit. After that, I went to nearby restaurant and had tea. I asked the waiter if I had to go back to Behur math or I can get a direct bus from here to Parnashree pally. Direct buses was also available. I opted for that. It took me 2 long hours to reach the home. The journey in the bus was quite tiring but the real fun is not in taxi but in local transport of the city where you get to know the city, its culture and its people.

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