The Rain-Soaked Adventure

It's raining it's pouring

The old man is snoring

He left the tap on and dozed right of

And now the water is overflowing 

Some of the few nonsensical rhymes that can cross your mind while you make your way through the torrential rains and find your steps through the roads covered in water. You have two choices, you either stay put, or you make your way through the rains and the water. So you have this debate in your head but then who wants to stay put in a place you don't like. So you make the choice and take the risk and face the perils outside.

As you make your way through the rain and all the water, you start to second guess yourself. Did you take the right decision? Was it wise to step out in the pouring rain, risking your laptop and your life? But hey, what's done is done, so you make your way to water and the blowing rain, silently trying to remember the words to the prayer to your Guardian Angel that your learnt in catechism class. Not that your scared, just trying not to be.

So you follow an endless line of umbrellas and stuck cars, making your way through the water whose depth and current varies as it flows, to the place you think is still operational. As you near the Metro station you wait with bated breath and breathe a sigh of relief when you realise it is indeed operational.

By now you're soaked to the bone, you join a line of people, more like a crowd of people as there isn't going to be a line, waiting for the train to come. And when the train arrives you are packed in feeling like a can of sardines but not too claustrophobic. So slowly but surely the train makes its way from Central to Western.

Once you arrive at your destination its decision time once again; do you wait for the local trains to start or do you put your marathon walking ability to test. You decide to do the later, but first you need to settle the little rumbling in your stomach. Luckily a McDonald is functional, so after your stomach is filled you are ready for the next leg of your journey.

Again you find your self in the water. You can see buses and cars half submerged making you want to stress on the route to take. You hear someone say to go on the tracks where it would be safer and in the meantime you get a call from a friend who tell you the trains are functional. So you make your way towards the tracks, through a narrow passageway between a foot over bridge and find your way just as a train is pulling into the platform.

So you move towards it and board the train, just hoping it doesn't get too crowded. As the train waits on the platform you have people from the opposite platform boarding the train making you more stressed, why the hell is the train not moving. And when the train finally moves you breathe a sigh of relief. But now you are are wondering how do you get off.

But then, by the grace of God, and the push of the people behind you, you are pushed out at your destination. You rush to place where you parked your Activa. You get on it and hope against hope that your area isn't flooded and jam. And it seemed like your prayers are answered, there's not much flooding and there's not much of a jam, even though visarjan are happening.

You rush into the house, fumbling with the keys and rush to relieve yourself. You quickly call and message people letting them know that you are safe and sound and reached home, to an extent even posting about it. Next your banish tie wet clothes to the soaking bucket and soak yourself in hot water grateful that you made it through the rain-soaked adventure in to the safety of your own home.

That what makes you whole

You are going to have some good times

Along with the bad

It's only when you know sorrow

Can you learn to appreciate 

All that's good in your life

There will be times

When all the pieces will fall into place

And times when nothing goes your way

And time when nothing ever happens at all

You are going to experience 

Highs and lows 

Like a heartbeat that tells you 

That you're alive and kicking 

And not flatlining and dead

Embrace life and all that it has to offer you

The good times along with the bad

The happiness and the sad

You have to know heartache 

So as to learn to appreciate love

You've got to learn to accept others

In order to really accept yourself

Accept life, grab it and hold tight

Learn from it but never let it go

Let cover you, envelope you, embrace you

Absorb all that it has to give you

Live it to the fullest 

Never ever give up on it

You can't always be happy 

But happiness comes from a place within

Don't ever loose that place

Love and be loved

Accept to be accepted

Honour others giving them the respect

They deserve

Happiness and sadness

Joys and sorrows

Triumphs and failures 

These are all part of life

And that what makes life complete

That what makes you whole

The Road to Gorai: Going Down a Road Less Taken

I have been down this road before

But never this way

There's something so familiar 

In this unfamiliarity 

Something so different 

Like I have seen this road

But never been down it like this before

So as we make our way

Slowly but steadily

Moving out from the city 

Onto roads that leads us past 

Quaint village houses 

A place where the grey skies 

Seem to have descended down 

To touch the land

Patches of salt pans and paddy field

Surrounded by the soothing greens 

And then like running on a heaving chest

We climbed and descended

With every breath the road takes

Running round the curves

You challenge us to keep up with you

Up the steep climbs

Cause you'll reward us at every turn

Like a master rewarding his faithful dog

So we keep up with this road

Making it up the climbs

Making the ascends on weary legs

Huffing and puffing and panting

But making it all the way to the top

To find another descend 

Followed by yet another ascend

But the reward is great

Cause the view of breathtakingly beautiful 

Making us feel blessed 

And leaving us in awe

So we steadily trudge on this road

Pass paddy fields and churches

Quaint little houses with the sea

In their backyard

Pass crosses and villages

People slowly awaking 

From their Sunday slumber

Pass ladies in lugdas 

And girls in green or similar attire

Boys dressed in their best

Men in their lungis 

As they made their way for Sunday mass

Looking at us funny stranger

Huffing and puffing

As they gleefully went on

And so went down slopes

Overlooking wharfs filled with boats

Making us feel like our very own Goa 

Without ever leaving the city

It was here the blue of the sea

Met the great greys of the skies 

Nothing furious, just gentle waves

Breaking on the shores

Once again we moved away from the sea

Down a road that felt oh so familiar 

Once again surrounded by the green

Brining up a familiar feeling

In an unfamiliar setting

Cause though the road was the same

Things have obviously changed

And then came the time to take the right

Making our way steadily to the beach

To the greys of the skies 

And the distant seas

(Cause it was low tide)

A welcome sight

But Signalling the end of the run

Making you feel glad

That 21k was now down

All that was left was memories 

From the run

Along with weary feet but a thankful soul

Inspiring the verses of this post

That shall never grow old

Ganesh Chaturthi: Then and Now

As the city welcome its Elephant head God, the remover of obstacles, for the next 10 days (or is it 12??? Not too sure), I am flooded with memories from my childhood and my fascination with the festival.

I can clearly picture myself standing in my gallery, eagerly waiting to catch a glimpse of the idols as they passed by. I remember hopping from one pandal to another, with my family, friends and neighbours, marvelling at the enormity of the idol, the beauty of the decorations, the theme, the set up, but never accepting Prasad or putting tikka (a very catholicky thing). 

I recollect waiting to listen to this song that  mostly could be heard during the festival (before the advent of the songs we hear today) "Deva-o-deva Ganpati Deva tum say badkar kaun". I would wait to listen to it on Chaiyageet or Chitrahar (the then version of MTV).

On visarjan day my balcony would be crowded with neighbours, who would join the countless devotees who lined the road and pavements to catch a glimpse of the Lalbaug cha Raja, much to the dismay of my poor Honu (my doggie... who would be all upset from the beating of the drums and crackers).

Here was a festival that was unique to my city (till I discovered that other cities and states too celebrate it) and filled  me with a feeling of devotion.

However, over the years this feeling has vained. Though I am still fascinated by the festivals and the idols, however, the realisation of the chaos and inconvenience that the festival causes began to get to me. It is not that I hated the festival, just hated the way it is celebrated today. Over the years we seem to have lost sight of the real purpose behind celebrating the festival. Some where down the line, the way we celebrated the festival and the reason why we celebrated it,  has totally changed (just like Diwali and Christmas).

What was meant to bring society together is now putting a wedge in it. It is a now a competition of one upmanship, to be better than the next. Gone are the devotional songs, replacing them are the Bollywood ones, that sometimes leave you perplexed and embarrassed.

For the next couple of days, the already jammed roads of Mumbai will be stretched beyond it capacity, adding to the chaos and traffic that has been caused by the construction of the metro. 

Sometimes I wonder how people stand in serpentine queues for hours together for just a couple second of Sarahan. But the same is also true for the Bandra Fair where you have to brave the g push and shove for just a couple seconds of glimpse of Mother Mary.

Previously, the Ganpati idols used be brought quietly at night without much fanfare. This has been reversed, now people bring Ganpati with the same fanfare as they would do for a visarjan.

Mind you, this not just a Hindu thing, other festivals too have slowly been loosing their meaning. Very often Christ goes missing from Christmas which has now become all about Santa Claus and an endless fashion parade.

That said, I still find that serenity and peace and devotion when I spend time at my friends place. Still marvel at the beauty of the murti and the decoration. But most importantly I find the peace that at times has been lost.

We all have the right to celebrate our festivals as per our traditions. These festivals are part of the fabric that's Indian culture. But don't let your celebration be some a pain for others.

To Sarahah or not to Sarahah

Man is a social animal, we seek out companionship and company like a heat seeking missile seeking out its target. Today's digital world gives being social a whole different meaning. 

Recently came across an app on Facebook (is it right to call them apps??) that allows people to comment about you anonymously, no name, no identity revealed (unless you decide to find it away), you could speak your inner most desire, your forbidden thoughts... oh well I am rambling off like a stalkerish lunatic. Well in short you could comment about someone anonymously and they would not know who commented (isn't this the same as anonymous... such an oxy-moron) bringing a twinkle of mischief in the eye. Anonymity gives such a cover and opportunity to pull the leg.

So for the heck of it I registered to see what people would have to say when I released leash. I thought I was prepared for it but what eventually came cut too close to the bone. Even though most of it was in zest (or so I assume) I was not quite prepared for what was to come.

We live in the world where most of us love click and post, pout and post, do something and post about it, check-ins and live streams are our lives and what not. We all have succumbed to it... if not all then most of us (me included). We do this for what... just for a couple of likes... a couple of comments??? Just to stroke our egos we give the world a voyeuristic peep show into our lives, a front row seat to the play we are part (William Shakespeare remember).

My mom hates me clicking and posting pics, especially of hers, she says it is bad juju (well not exactly those words... who uses the word juju anyway). She's right in her own way and meaning. When we post we put ourselves out there, open our lives to the world, leaving nothing sacred or private. Our life is for all to see.

Well that being said, inspite of our best reasoning, nothing will stop us from being social. I know for all my thoughts, the next thing I am going to do is put this on a blog and then share it on Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter to get the most eyeball. Isn't it ironic... don't you think.

Up and up: The Hyderabad Marathon Experience

Up and up...where the hell are the downs...  shouldn't what goes up also come down... these were few of the thoughts that I thought would cross my mind running the Hyderabad Marathon... ok ok... Half Marathon. To an extent these thoughts did cross my mind but I have begun to realise that when a route challenges you, you rise to the challenge.

The Hyderabad Marathon is billed as a marathon with one of the toughest route and it sure does live up to the expectations that it sets. For a good extent of the run you going up flyovers that are over a kilometre long and unrelenting inclines with very few declines.

A couple of runners advised that you don't challenge the route cause if you do it will bite right back. You've got to give it its due respect and you will reap the benefit of it. 

Now that I have run it, I can say that all this is true. There are continuous inclines and flyovers, and roads without much shade. But that said, the route teaches you to be strong and tests your endurance and holds a mirror upto you and shows you your strong self. The inclines of Peddar Road seems just like a fraction of the inclines here.

Yes there are inclines and flyovers, but don't let this daunt you. You give the route it due respect but don't let it overwhelm you. I learnt that a route that challenges you is the best route you'll ever run. This is one dynamic route, nothing here is boring. The route always has an aspect to keep you active and make you feel alive. The route is alive and interesting, always something to challenge you at every corner. Love it and it will love you back. To add to it, you're blessed with an awesome weather conducive to running. Never would the sight of an overcast skies be more welcomed.

The route had hydration stations at regular intervals with each of these stations adequately stocked (with Fast and Up making me feel like home) and the volunteers on their feet and ready to help. An aspect that I liked was that the Volunteers themselves were holding the garbage bag to collect the garbage and not other help.

One aspect that I didn't find much was crowd support. Ok I am a spoilt mumbaikar who has been spoilt by the crowd support. Yes there were school kids but again as for the Vasai Virar Marathon, most of the cheer group seemed to be forced. School children in uniform does not seem like voluntary. That's where I missed Mumbai the most.

But that being said, this was the only grouse I had. Everything else was well managed and well organised, the hydration station, the medal distribution, the hot breakfast. 

So now I can proudly say that I managed to tame my fear of slopes and with it Hyderabad.

Religion and Me

I believe in religion 

Without being too religious 

I believe in the power of prayer

A divine being

Who is omnipresent 

I often find it odd

That we stand in front of statue

To prayer when the divine is everywhere

But then there's nothing wrong with that

Just the way I feel

I don't consider myself religious

But I am proud to be a Roman Catholic 

However that doesn't mean

I look at other religions condescendingly

I believe all men and women are equal

And so all religions are equal 

There is no religion

Superior or inferior to others

I am catholic 

But I can never understand 

When people ask

If I am a practicing Catholic

Never could understand 

What do they mean by it

Cause religion ain't not profession

That needs to be practiced 

I believe that all religions profess 

peace and love

Or at least as far as I know

None spews hatred

Or condones violence

They profess acceptance and forgiveness 

A feeling of inclusion

No matter who you are

No matter what you are

Or where you come from

There's no exclusivity 

Unless you are part of a cult

In which case all the best to you

I don't think you can 

Customise religion to you liking

But you can always be rational 

Than just having blind faith

Let your faith be accepting of all

Absorbing all experience 

No matter the beliefs

Sadly it's the interpretation of man

That makes religion narrow

Often unaccepting and 

In a way, intolerant 

That causes pain

In the name of religion 

That makes one look down 

Upon the other 

Often with suspicion 

Often with mistrust

It's man who has turned religion upon us

And never the other way round

It is man that causes pain

And puts it all on religion

We all have the right

To practice the religion we choose

As much as we have a right 

To live the life we want

No religion propagates hate

Or intolerance

The sooner we understand this

And we accept this

The better it is for us

The lesser pain we will inflict 

On each other

And in turn on ourselves

Making the world a peaceful place 

To dwell in

Moments

We often complain

That moments that matter

Are far and few

And often fleeting 

Never giving us a chance

To savour it

To bask in it

To enjoy it

What we never truly understand 

Is that every moment matters

Every second

Every minute

Every hour

Every day

The tiniest detail is what matters

We are often wrapped up

In our so called busy life

That we let so many moments pass us by

Without ever noticing

Or acknowledging it

Every moment needs to be celebrated 

Not just those big ones

Every triumph, no matter how small

Needs to be celebrated 

Cause it is these moments 

that come together 

To make a cohesive whole

We may never ever have 

bards or ministerial 

Put these moments in verse or songs

But these moments live on with us forever

Etched in our heart for all eternity

These moments may be small and tender

Passionate beyond lust 

Or the craving of the flesh

But these moments are genuine 

Pure and true

Strengthening the bonds 

That binds us together

That keeps us sane

These moments are our prized possession

Our ray of sunshine

On a dark and gloomy day

That what keeps us strong

Fills us up with hope and faith

Though time may pass us by

These moments linger on

Like a tattoo on our mind

Imprinting on us

Ours for all eternity

Though we may come and go

The se moments that form memories

Will linger on for all eternity 

Running with Amarjeet Singh Chawla

I have been running for almost a decade (or may be a couple of years short, not too sure about it), and during my runs I have come across a number of people (many who I call friends) who have over come the odds (as cliched as it may sound) and made a name for themselves in running. People who you can truly say that they inspire. Today I had the privilege and honour of being Amarjeet Singh Chawla's 35th escort.

I first saw Amarjeet Sir during the second edition of the BNP run and then at couple of other runs, including the monthly training runs with the Mumbai Road Runners. It was during one of MRR's monthly run, when my friends Perna and Babita where escorting him that I actually got to meet him in person and introduce myself to him.

I am runner who normally keeps to myself, though I believe in encouraging my fellow runners, but today I chatted with him the entire 12 kms we ran together. Together with Jaj and Maya (who became his 34th and 36th escorts, respectively) and Kimberly, we accompanied him for today's run.

With every minute, every km, our admiration grew (and swelled) for this unassuming man who was so determined to not let the hand that was dealt to him, keep him down. He exemplifies the saying that when life throws lemons at you then you make lemonade of it. His determination and diligence left us in awe and his achievements left us gaping. Knowing that he done well over 70 half marathons and 40 ten kms left us with our jaws literally on the floor. And that to at an age when normally people pack their bags and live a retired life, here was a man going from strength to strength.

He was more concerned if we were comfortable than we ensuring that he was ok. We eagerly listened to the wonderful and insightful anecdotes that he told from the various events he has run, about troubles sometimes he has to face in getting escorts for runs, to his wife's concern with all his running (as wives and mothers normally do). He narrated various incidents from running across the country, the adulation and recognition that he has begun to receive, and the runs he wanted to do. He left me in awe knowing that he has done runs that I have stayed away considering the difficulty.

I can say that at the end of the 12 kms and almost two hours that we ran together, I have grown to not only admire and respect him more, but also grown to love him much more. Here was a person that represented what freedom truly meant to me, not letting circumstances shackle you doing, letting your spirit soar and fly, a free bird in the sky.

Thank you Amarjeet Sir for all the inspiration that you give us, truly respect and admire and was an honour and privilege to accompany you today, on a very auspicious run.