Travel Diaries – Delhi to Manali

                The funny thing about a plan is the most obvious fact – they never succeed. So, if for a second, you feel that the plan lined up by our planner was 100% success, well then I bet the planner would give you a big treat for sure….I am still waiting for mine btw J

So, all was set. Tickets, receipts, clothes, phone numbers, meds, lots of good luck & advice – we collected just about everything! The only thing which we missed out was some good fortune. Anyways, let me tell you another fun fact – the way you begin a trip sets the tone for the rest, so what I will now do is lay down the facts in terms of how we began the trip!

Friday evening 16:40 was the time when our Mumbai Rajdhani departed. As we were advised, we knew that the train kicks off at precisely that time so we knew what time to reach. As usual, typical IT attitude led us to work for half a day – atleast I did. By the time, I winded up, it was – OMG – 1 pm! Just as Rajnikanth’s Robot, I was quick to finish bath, food, packing, hiring taxi and then finally stuffing 2 big bags and 2 backpacks in it! The time was 245 pm! As luck would have it, traffic jam allowed us to reach the station precisely at the time when the train docked. After settling down,  we noticed one simple fact – the planner himself isn’t in the train.

Now the planner is a delhi guy whose claim to fame is the fact that he knows delhi in and out. But we cant say the same about Mumbai. Poor dude had to carry a hefty bag along with him in a taxi which he ditched at Mahalaxmi and took a local all the way to BCT! He stepped into the train just 5 mins before it departed!

Mumbai Rajdhani is one of the elite train services in the country. They treat you like loyalty. The servers actually smile while serving! Unreal aint it? I was thoroughly enjoying the experience. There wasn’t a moment during that entire journey (while I was awake) where they weren’t bringing something to eat. Welcome drink, tea, biscuits, sandwich, soup, meal, sweet, you name it and they gave it – only once!

True to time, the train pulled up at the grand New Delhi terminus. Nothing grand about it, apart from the fact that it was the train station located at the heart of our capital. After the usual train station taxi negotiations, we left for our planner’s house.

Going to a typical Delhi house is always a treat. Big houses with terrance, no big high rise buildings, peaceful surroundings, the works! To top it all off, the food and the welcome gestures, those small aspects which really make a difference. The hospitality shown by the planner’s relatives was supreme and really set the tone for the day. Felt kinda nice and warm about being in Delhi and enjoying company of nice friends and family. In the words of the planner – it was Jannat!

Then came the evening – time to board the bus to Manali! We quickly but reluctantly bid our farewells to the planner’s relatives and hopped onto a concept which for a Delhite, is a point of show off – the delhi metro!

An expansive setup running through the heart of delhi, the metro has been modeled onto 

the London tube system. The start atleast seems nice with the condition of the trains being fine and the trains being on time. However, in my opinion, the concept fails at the most common issue in India – human traffic!

Reaching the bus stop, it came to light that due to 15^th August preparations, Janpath road is closed and the buses would leave from another location. So in the words of Delhi belly, we grooved to the song “Bhag bhag D K Bose” and did what D K Bose would have done – we ran to the departure spot. The bus company, Swagatam Travels, was one of the buses in the entire bus cartel that operates the Delhi Manali bus route. Their motto – take the money, care less about the customer. The bus departed at the right time – around 530 pm with a scheduled arrival time of 8 am in Manali. Just before we reached the bus, we came to know that there was a cloud burst in Manali resulting in heavy rains for 24 straight hours which further caused our route to Leh being blocked. That news was like cat amongst the pigeon stuff!

Anyways, the bus ride could have been interesting if it wasn’t for the Delhi traffic and the bus operator putting on Tees Maar Khan. After having a ok dinner, we slept only partially through the night. At around 4 am in the morning, the bus stopped approx 150 KMs from Manali, conveniently in front of a Dhaba citing the fact that the main bridge connecting Delhi and Manali has caved. So now, the Volvo bus cant go. There was a route through the village (Sundernagar) which could be taken but Volvo buses cant go through that route. While the operator was explaining this situation, we could see the State Transport buses wizzing past us. It was clear that the operator – who slept the night sleeping in the bus luggage compartment – was not going to inch ahead to Manali. So, we took matters into our own hand. With a lot of negotiations which went on, we finally got the bus operator to drop us approx 6 kms near a state transport bus station where we can hope of finding a bus or a taxi. The taxi rates touched the skies but we still managed to hook up a cab for approx 5K for 9 people. Dumping all our luggage, 9 of us sat in a Tavera and left for Manali – through the village.

The cool thing about the village is that it is not made for cars and trucks. So you can imagine what would happen when you stuff a whole bunch of vehicles travelling in both directions. I know what happened – a road block for 5 hours and a word which is very much common in India – Chaos! Finally, we had to step out and regulate the traffic and get our car and our asses out of there.

Finally, we could now enjoy the beauty that is the route to Manali. However, that didn’t last long. Another 2 hour halt – this time due to a landslide. To be honest, we were saved by 5 mins! The landslide helped us take in the beautiful place that is the route to Manali (didn’t I say that already?). A super fast river, greenery everywhere, water fall just a few meters away from our car, the fear of landslide happening again – you cant put a price on all this!

Finally the landslide cleared and fortunately, we were the ones who were the 1^st to move! Yey!!

The journey then on was a treat to watch! Awesome river views, dams, driving alongside a valley and moving under a mountain. One of the highlights was – driving through a tunnel in a mountain for approx 3.6 KMs! The drive towards Manali is normal weather is a real treat and for us, specially in the weather we went in was extra special to experience!

After discussing with the tour operator, we shifted our pitstop – from Keylong to Manali for the night! Finally after nearly 25 hours in a car, we reached our hotel, nice little place on top of a hill! Never really saw apples growing on a tree – this was my moment and I was loving every bit of it! After a quick stroll through the market, we came back, had food, some liquid courage and then off to bed, not quite knowing what nature had instore for us the next day – and boy! Nature was all in the mood for surprises!

Travel Diaries – The Leh PrepWork

                There are times when you look back and wonder, “Hell this should have been done that way”. Its always the retrospect which really helps you in enjoying what you have achieved or in other words, what you went through. The retrospect really helps you appreciate and value the experience like how a new born appreciates the world around.

My Leh-Ladakh trip was such an experience. If you prepare a ‘To-Do’ checklist of things which you should have covered in a trip spanning 10 days, then I would come out with a score of 30/100 i.e., I can say that I got 30% worth fun put into the entire trip. In reality, that is not the case. The trip was an exhilarating experience which I would remember for the rest of my life – not becoz of the negative things that did happen..but simply becoz of all the positive things that did happen.

So the trip was a brain child of a single individual. That person actually wanted to do this trip on a bike. The thought of cruising around the country/mountain side on a bullet or Harley sounded unreal. But the support of family members beckoned and the trip became a road trip instead wherein we would hire some cars, buy some train/bus tickets, book some decent hotels and embark on a thrill ride!

The travel planning took only 10 days. After identifying the longest weekend possible, we did booking of train tickets – Mumbai Rajdhani – approx 2 months in advance. To our luck, we were put on waiting list. To complicate matters, bookings were randomly done (2-3 tickets at once). So, the final ticket was at waiting list number 34 – a number which we thought would clear – it did but not without its own sense of twists and turns.

Now comes the difficult part. For starters, there were 14 of us – including a couple who had joined us after chucking their own plan. 14 people, 14 brains, 14 panic buttons, 14 ideas – 1 planner. The planner actually did a lot of research for this trip. Signed up on multiple forums, talked to god knows how many travel companies and finally was able to deliver a perfect package – all thanks to the Intersight Holidays Pvt Ltd.

Originally, we had decided to go from Delhi towards Leh Ladakh via Manali and back. However, due to some really awesome suggestions, we decided to circle the valley and come back via Srinagar. Everyone agreed and the planner started attacking the flight operators for the best available fares. Finally, we got it – Kingfisher Airlines, 4 Star Hotels in the sky – group booking carried at an appreciable cost. Immediately, day dreaming of some folks started - “I will enjoy the road trip and while coming back, will enjoy the inflight hospitalities” – something which wasn’t disappointing at all.

The travel agency managed to give us some really good deals in terms of accommodations and car hires. It turns out that all this planning, we forgot to take in 1 important factor into account – The Cost – The big ‘C’. The cost inflated to around 25K of only travel and living – no personal expenses included. Further to add to the woes was the fact that if anyone pulls out, the cost goes up and it so happens, we have 5 pull outs increasing the cost further!

After a lot of adjustments, we were able to maintain our costs at 27K (give and take 2K here and there). The plan was set – 9 men and women out to conquer the most gruesome journey undertaken – Leh Ladakh, Kargil & Srinagar.

So, we were all fine in the 2 months leading upto the trip, where suddenly panic set in – Waiting list tickets are now only RAC. Further to add to the complications, someone brought in news that RACs aren’t confirmed tickets as far as Rajdhani is concerned! Turmoil struck. Everyone started looking at flight options – the cost barometer was heading due north! Giving him company was sheer frustration! Finally, time took over and calmed us all down and slowly but surely, the tickets trickled over the confirmation line!

A travel like this always is demanding on the body. God knows how many people would have given me advice of what to do and what not to do. Some even went as far as getting me numbers of hospitals and police officials rather than contact numbers of some fancy tourist place! For a moment, it was as if we were heading into a war zone. On top of that, were the numerous advices – don’t talk to army men, don’t use your mobile phone, don’t say holla to the monks! The advices just kept on coming! What you have to do is clear your head – you know your body more than anyone else. Take all the usual meds that you normally need. In addition to that, take Diamox (after proper consultation with your doctor) along with Avomine. In addition, if you have a case of the vertigo, take appropriate meds to suit your needs.

In terms of clothing, buy a good thick jacket, you wont be needing it in Leh Ladakh, but you would need it in your journey between Manali and Leh. Carry warm long sleeve clothes – lots of it.

By now, you must be thinking “Is this guy going to make a documentary out of this trip? Where is the fun!!” Well prepwork is always the boring stuff which no one wants to do but everyone wants to know. Trust me guys and gals, the fun stuff is almost there – right from the beginning of the trip. But that’s for another time. 

Stray Thoughts

This is the 1^st line I have written after early February this year. The last article I wrote was a valentine day special. Well time has clearly flown by and with time, so has my motivation to write something.  Now, all I have bottled inside me are random thoughts, mixed thoughts, brief thoughts about everyday things or every mundane thing which we are confronted with in our regular life.

So I decided to collate all these stray thoughts and compile something which just reflects my views on all that is social.

Life is a mess which needs cleaning. Very seldom you identify a lifestyle which is clean as a whistle. Everyone has problems. These problems are the basic motivating or demotivating factors. These causes an individual to take steps which might not be right in others view point but spot on correct in the person’s point of view. This is the basic foundation of good and bad activities. A person taking a bribe is a classic example. For us, its taboo! Why? Becoz we haven’t taken a bribe as yet, becoz society condones it. It is something of an ethical thing or a value based attribute which enables us to decide that what we would undertake is wrong. What we fail to acknowledge the situation under which the person might be pushed to take money for some work. We do understand it but never acknowledge it. The money taking might be due becoz of a not to do well background from which the individual comes. It might also be a compulsion imposed by others. For example, if a traffic cop doesn’t take bribes to do work, people would go to him and others wont be entertained. Yes, wrongdoings can also be compulsion in these scenarios.

Common Wealth Games came and went. The event in itself was breathtaking and awesomely conducted. However, the pre and post activities would always be remembered. What should we attribute this to? Greed? Or just the reason I mentioned above? There is always a motive. Yes, we made jokes and did we get any accountability from these people? The media also just moved on from this piece of news as it wasn’t “happening” enough. People and friends I know also moved on saying “This will toh happen…becoz this is India”. These are the people who look at things with a bias in mind.

The metro is a classic example. Yes it is a step in development of Mumbai. But tell me 1 thing, should we do development for the heck of it? Should be develop one area of our infrastructure and damage the other? These are questions which people fail to understand. Yes metro has long term benefits but those benefits are getting cancelled out by the vehicular traffic the rails would create once operational. Bottom line is that this project was pushed for money making purpose NOT for development as it is projected. Development is a by-product not the chief one. The route which was taken up would make life easy for people. But it would ruin the road development which has been done. Furthermore, ownership would be a key thing here. We, Indian like to wash our hands off things which are ambiguous in nature. Metro developers would build their rails by breaking the concrete road. Once they are done, then they would just move away from the breakage citing that the road development authority should handle it. The Road development authority will then say its your mess clean it up…the media would have field day of pointing to the mess but not doing anything and the common man would learn to drive/walk around it and then mention it to his/her friends saying “Is desh ka kuch nahi ho sakta”.

Please don’t mistake the above words as means of me complaining. I, as media is doing, am just pointing out the flaws. What I am willing to do is come forward and do something about it. But when I look behind, what do I see, nothing. No one to support.

Meter Jam was another awesome initiative. Even I had thought about it but didn’t think it would ever be initiated. Meter Jam did happen. There was only 1 problem. They didn’t take into account the Mumbaikar’s “chalta hai” attitude. The masses (college folks and IT professionals) did try and support the initiative. People I know boycotted rickshaw. Even I said an up-front NO to the auto walas. But the issue was that there were few areas or rather sections of society who weren’t informed or choose to be ignorant of the initiative. They took the rickshaws out of dependency or out of plain opportunistic attitude. “What’s it in for me?” “How this would hamper me today”. These are typical questions which they asked. I won’t consider this as a self centered attitude but more to do with what Mumbai is. It lives in the present, works in the present and plans for the present. It doesn’t think about the past or the future. Not even doing the times of the train blast or the infamous 26/11 attacks. This attitude costs us dearly. This attitude makes us lose out our unity and that is how others take advantage of this. The rickshaw unions celebrated as the Meter Jam folks were embarrassed by the people of Mumbai. However, what they do forget is what goes around comes around. Let’s hope that this attitude doesn’t spurge up when Rickshaw union need public backing to be in business (yes the day would come).

Speaking of Mumbai’s attitude, every step of the way since the 1960s, it has been taken advantage of. That’s till what I can recall. This divide and rule culture has been adopted by all major political parties with a view to make a mark on the country’s financial and commercial capital. This culture involves instigation, provocation and downright ugly protests all in the name of a common man’s struggle. Tell me one thing, when a common man is staying in his house on a hot summer afternoon with 5 hours of load shedding or when he scraps through the day with minimalistic water intake, is there any noise made? If noise is indeed being made then why is the common man still affected with the basic aspects of life? Why is importance given to protests on a movie which calls Mumbai Bombay? Based on my understanding of this subject, Mumbai is better off as Bombay. Atleast it doesn’t have a selfish ring to it. Bombay looks more welcoming and more open towards success. But I am the last one who would just be intimidated by the name. There was a campaign, spanning 5 years, just to change names of institutes and important landmarks. Why wasn’t such an effort spent on improving education or maintaining the landmarks which we so dearly love! As a matter of fact, where were these voices when Mumbai was siege on 26/11 or 11/7? I tell you where these voices would have been. These voices would have been plotting their next move to leverage the predicament of the common man.  However, at the end of it all, we always commit the 1 basic mistake, we vote these degenerates back into power.

We are progressing towards success and development. But still I see a lot of wastage in terms of processes and in terms of personnel. Why the hell does one have to undergo N number of form filling just to get his own marksheet? The answer partly to this question is the fraudental nature of this country. This again is attributed to what we began this discussion with (remember the bribery aspect). This country lacks trust. People don’t trust each other, the system and they don’t trust the fact that this country has the capability to deliver. This is seen in all aspects. The level of bargaining which goes on in buying vegetables, the hesitancy in purchasing something online, reluctance of giving someone loan, the list is endless but the source is only 1 word – Trust. Further, I would say that we trust the wrong things in life. We trust the degenerates and vote them in power. We trust that people around us are going to dupe us. This has led to an atmosphere where only distrust has prevailed. Some factions of society have known this all their lives and have been milking it to their advantage.

Trust is an integral part of any nation. It is in full force in the USA. I would say they trust each other too much, hence the recession. There needs to be a balance. Sadly to achieve such a balance, one needs to be in a world where there are no misdeeds. This thought does bring out a chuckle in me. But it is the truth. As of now, as I type this line, I wonder how much balance the forces of good and bad bring into the truth equation. This complicates and to some extent contradicts matters now. Let me sum it up for debating:

Distrust arises due to people engaging in wrong doings. Now, to have a trustful environment, trust needs to prevail. If trust prevails, wrong doings won’t. If wrong doings don’t then there won’t be any different viewpoints and if there are no separate viewpoints, development of a country would get adversely impacted. Putting it in an equation we get:

Development = (Good – Bad) + (Trust – Distrust)

How on earth would this balance out now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

System Fault

What is a system? A system is defined as a network of interrelated components which have been assembled in order to achieve a common goal/objective. A system basically is set up in order to fulfill that objective and the various components required for attaining the same in a smooth fashion.

An individual’s daily routine can be seen as a journey through various systems. He/she is constantly moving from one system to another in order to get through the day. The system can be self installed or can be a 3rd party process which he/she has to undergo. In other words, we can say that an individual’s routine is achieved through a network of interconnected (NOT interrelated always) systems! Thus this network of systems can be referred to as a Super System! Needless to say that a person’s routine is enriched or harmed based on how this super system works. Expanding the statement, I can say that the quality of the routine depends upon and is restricted by the quality of the each and every individual system he/she transits through.

Now that it is established that all systems impact an individual through their routine, we can have a closer look at the systems themselves. Let’s consider the systems introduced in the country. If the government or whoever it is that wants to help or enrich the life of its citizen would be designing a system to do exactly that. It is very rare to find a system which doesn’t want to assist the individual. Even the legal system provides a way for the guilty suspect to be given a chance. So, basically system is initiated to help! If it helps individuals, it increases satisfaction level which in turns helps them to trust the system. But what if this system turns for the worst? What if the very guidelines or rules which help establish the system lead to more dissatisfaction than trust? Would the individual be right in his place to go ahead and fight it? Ideally yes, he has the right and the power to do the same. But I am bit skeptical if that is possible in a country like ours.

Let me give you an example of the way the Police authorities have established a system. Suppose my bank account is hacked and someone transfers all the money into his own account and goes ahead and withdraws the same from an ATM. This would be a police complain for which I would need to go to a Police station. This should be a simple thing right? However, it is there that I find out that I need to go to multiple places just to get my complaint registered!!! The rules of the system become so conflicting that the Police think of rule 1 and tell me “You need to go to the Police station which is closest to the branch office where you have an account”. When I argue that the transfer was done online and the money was transfer to an account which is in a branch closer to this police station, reply based on rule 2 and 3 says “You need to go to Cyber crime cell as this is an online case”. What this system lacks is accountability and flexibility. This system forgets or ignores the state of mind the people coming have. If they are truly there to help the people then they should not make them run around from point A to B. Instead they should have an internal mechanism which enables them to register a complaint with Cyber Crime branch and also the various other places where this has relevance. How can this be achieved? One answer can be infrastructure. Development of this infrastructure is also system in itself!!! This can establish how 1 system affects another one!

When you face a system which lacks accountability and flexibility, you should have the right (as the basic and primary inputs to the system) to call for a change. However, is it really that simple? Yes it can be, if this request for change is taken in the right spirit. Most of the time, such a request is taken as a threat to the system. Changes involve drawing people out of their comfort zone. This is the simple concept of resistance to change. This resistance becomes prominent which the person doing it has power. In a country like India, system corruption is a common thing. It is a naturally accepted fact. Thus when you try to change the way of functioning of powerful but corrupt people, you rattle the cages which in turn brings about consequences. Now, in a country like India, it is needless to say that people are scared and afraid to fight the system becoz of 3 basic points… (a) No one wants to get their hands dirty; (b) they have dependants which might also land up in problems (c) They just don’t have any time!!

Yes, the natural argument is that “no system is perfect” and “how simple people can bring about a change”. Perfectly valid questions, however, they are not practical enough to be asked and answered. The point is that since the system is so corrupt and dirty, it doesn’t need tuning, it needs an overhaul. A brand new system introduced by new set of individuals is the way to go. This might sound a bit radical but this is the only way one can guarantee that the system becomes corruption-free. But then such a system cannot be perfect from the onset. But there is a surety that such a corruption free system can be made perfect through the concept of evolution. Clean systems would tend to have accountability and flexibility which would in turn increase trust and faith in them. This would further give impetus to improvement and development of the system and also increase the satisfaction levels of the people who are the primary reason these systems are in place - We the People!

A lost Family Member - Remembered

Human beings are a part of our everyday life. Our relatives, social circles, family etc become a part of a bond which is, even in today’s world, unbreakable. We laugh with them in their good times, we cry with them in their bad times. However, there are a few finer things which we tend to miss out. Those living beings which are actually a part of a family but are not considered as a family member by lots of people that I come across. They are our pets, our companions during tough times.

My dog was always considered as a part of my family. I think remember, around 16 years ago, when my dad got a phone call from one of his friend about a puppy which he was giving away. Dad immediately went out to his house to get the pup. My mom, my sister and me were at the window, as anxious as a would be father outside a delivery room, waiting to see and welcome the new member of our family. A rickshaw stopped and my dad stepped out. He turned around and made his way into the society with a small white snow ball [:)] in his arms. That very moment, a sense of happiness overcame me. The happiness, which at that age also, told me that we had someone new in the family. Someone cute, someone whom I can spend hours on end and someone who can be my companion for life time. My pet dog had arrived! Dad came and placed her in front of every one of us. The puppy, although only 4 months old was aware of the new surrounding and studied each and every one of the family while we were sitting around it. Then it made its 1st move, it slowly, hesitantly, moved towards mom and fell into her lap with ease as though requesting her to take care for life.

She looked like a god sent dog! To such an extent that Lord Dutta’s picture frame which was put up in our mandir at home had pictures of animals surrounding him. One of those animals was a dog which resembled in all ways to her. She always used to be there for me during my good times and especially my bad times. She came to me sensing that I was depressed. She was the solace that no one ever could provide me.

Life was beautiful for the next years to come as having such a cute bundle of joy in the family, someone who is more expressive than all 4 of us combined was really a blessing in the most convectional kind of way. I for one was very proud to have a dog at home. Not only was she a great companion but an awesome conversational piece with friends, relatives and all. I simply enjoyed the times when she used to undergo her mad spells of running here and there in playful moods and biting and tears stuff which was exclusive for her and also some stuff which carried some importance.

She was the most mischievous of us all. She used to hide socks, towels all in her little den and used to sit there and wait for us to come and take it off her. She used to give up her treasure but not before providing a fight! I still remember the day when we thought of getting her “married”. We got a stallion of a dog for her and made them talk in a room but to our dismay, they were totally not into each other and sat at the 2 ends of the room!!!

As years went on, the fun, the comfort, the presence grew more than ever. However, it seemed to me that whatever she used to do previously was something she began to avoid. For example, as our house was on the 3rd floor, she used to perch up onto a window with great speed and agility. However, as days passed, the speed and agility seem to slowly fade away. Although she didn’t ever have any illness in her early years, cold, cough and sightlessness were beginning to creep in. Her time was coming and slowly I realized the same.

I would never forget that week of August. She was trying to be the most cheerful one but wasn’t able to. She was constantly fighting the cold and the cough which irritated her to the max. Even in her worst conditions, she would make an effort to try and come to me. But then, on the unfortunate day of 31st August 2007, she left us. She went to a place where she could once again roam around freely; she could company those souls who had enough trouble in their stint here on earth. She would go and bring joy and happiness to the afterlife….leaving me alone.

Some people make an impact on your life. When they desert you or leave you, you feel lonely, left out, as if a part of your body has been separated from you. Same goes for living beings who can’t speak anything but have an enormous impact on your life with their presence. You don’t feel much when they are around you, when they come up to you with their wishful, hopeful eyes and give up all the feeling of belonging which they want to give without asking for anything in return. But when such things stop happening, you do feel cut off. Even today, I sometimes keep my hand on the side of the bed with a hope that she would pass under it……

But I know that she is there…watching us…not forgetting the house where she was loved and adored. That is why this year, on the same exact day, she sent her messenger, a small cat that came into our house, made it its own, visited places where she used to sit and then vanished the next day! I wonder if the cat came only to provide us with the support we needed to go through the day when we lost one of our family member, on the day when I lost one of my companions I had known for 16 years…….

The formula for Success!!

No!!! This is not another inspiration speech on how to attain success in whatever you do. This is more an observation on what I think nowadays holds the key for people who are successful in the modern world. Also, this is not a piece where I am pouring out my jealous for anybody, anyone.

My dad always used to say, “Son, whatever we do in life, we should do it honestly, be true to yourself and we would achieve what we have set out to achieve, attain our destiny”. As a kid, I had no alternative but to listen and follow my dad’s work. So I began my life’s journey, took on both sorrow as well as joy in whatever I did. The tension of studies, the emotions of a good/bad score, I had everything in life. Got good marks, attended college, did my degree, got recruited into a good company. In this short journey, I had the usual ups and downs with the ups playing a dominant role. However, when I look back now, 3 years since my graduation, I don’t think the ups in my life hold any value. I wonder, what is it that has led me to this position in life?

People say that the foundation of your success is laid down in the early years of your life. Well, in that case, in my early years, I have been a dedicated student, always completing my homework, being disciplined when it comes to exams and studies. I carried this attitude into college. Being a regular student in college, having 90% attendance, being a teacher favourite, being on top o my game, I thought I had laid that foundation well. But now, looking at the situation, I feel lost! All the friends/acquittances I had during my study years, those who were exactly opposite me, have achieved something in life. Something big, something interesting, something which even I couldn’t achieve. They have achieved success!!

So, what is it that drives a person to success? Is it the financial backing? Well if that is so, then unfortunately I didn’t have that. Was that a mistake on my part? Should the amount of money in your family’s account determine how your success should be? Bottom line: Can Success be bought?

The answer is a complex one. It’s a yes and no. Yes because, money allows you to secure the tools (degree, skills etc) to attain success. Money can also help you buy yourself a job, something which is also considered as a corner stone for getting success. No because, there is a limit to which you can use cash to go up the success ladder. Wait, does it mean one has to buy aka bribe i.e use the dishonest path to glory? As I said the answer is a complex one. But I will try to explain this.

Success is like a linear equation. You need to balance both sides. It’s a system. The amount of inputs you provide, based on the nature of the input, you get an appropriate output. People who make use of money and other negative means to achieve success might get it eventually, but what they fail to see is how much grander the success would have been if some amount of money was substituted with hard work and honesty! As for people like us, well, once we really come face to face with success, our life has come full circle.

Caged Animal

Violent games, movies provide me entertainment,
action has become my latest craving,
but the problem resides in me,
caged animal in me wants to break free.

Society doesn't treat me right,
my friends spit on me at every sight,
I cant do anything about it,
fear of rejection grips me,
caged animal in me wants to break free.

Workplace has become a horror story,
Every monster plays trick or treat,
Their tricks are making me vary,
there is no future in the path that i see,
caged animal in me wants to break free.

Slowly but surely the animal has been growing,
it groans at all the mistreats it sees flowing,
but the laughter covers the groans,
but the fire is raging in me,
caged animal in me wants to break free.