My City is burning again

Not another minute of silence,
Not another occassion to wear black arm bands.
Now the silence is getting deafening,
The stupid symbolism be damned.

I've got sick of the news reports,
The constant saluting the spirit of Mumbai.
I've got tired of the resilience.
The getting back to normal life, the next day.

I've got tired of the jingoism,
Surviving attacks is not our forte.
Let me lead my life in peace,
Just let me live, the normal way.

But what can I do, a non resident mumbaikar,
There's just anger and frustuation to vent.
I really don't expect any action,
After all it's not an attack on the bloody parliament.

Life will go on, never stopping,
Cause the city never sleeps.
Millions get back to work,
While the affected thousand weep.

Mumbai, I can't see you hurting,
I can't see you blotched by tear and blood streams
Mumbai, you deserve much more,
For a city which has fulfilled a million dreams.

- Pranay Rao

Clarity

P151108_15.26, originally uploaded by Pranay Rao.

Real clarity is this signboard at an eatery on the way to Haridwar which clearly communicates what it wants with an element of humour and the minimum of drama.

Most communication today lacks that same clarity. Be it the ads which say so much that you miss the plot or the news channels which beat around the bush rather than coming to the point.

Clarity of communication is best expressed by two men talking about a woman. The subject is clear and the communication precise. Lack of clarity is the signals/words from any woman/girl you would be friends with. Most times you wish they came with their own codebook.

Clarity is something each one of us would love to have at every point in our life. Sometimes sooner than later. It helps simplify life and isn't that the reason for most things in life.

I really don't need to expound the importance of clarity in life, but if you do need some clarity about clarity then please do contact me for any clarifications.

Luv,

P,R,

Sleeping between the spotlights

"हरीश ka matlab kya हैं"
i.e. "What does harish mean?" Quite a normal question considering that Harish (dad's name) features on a lot of documents. The funny part was that the question was asked by the security guy (you know the guy who frisks you) at the airport. Most surprised and perpetually late I mumbled that I had no idea. To which he replied "Don't know the meaning of your own name?" I very well do cause Pranay is my name but somewhere in my 27 years of existence I remember asking Mom and Dad the meaning of their names, but can't recollect. Mental note 'Check with elder sister'. Girls are way better that way.

Travelled to Delhi in the middle seat thanks to not having done a Tele check in. Couldn't even charm the counter lady to an upgrade this time. It doesn't work when you land up at the boarding time. On both sides were two middle aged gentlemen who were avid readers which meant that the lights on both sides were on, which is generally painful but yesterday didn't affect me one bit. Sleeping between the spotlights is getting to be a habit now.

My flight led to a train trip which had me in a side upper berth which is really too small for a 5 ft 10 inches person. I had my Rs. 10 dinner of Roti and Subji, before retiring to sleep, surrounded by a group of over friendly people, each of whom promised to wake the other, with the end effect of only me being awake when Haridwar came. It took the attendant running through the compartment to get the people to not travel onwards to Dehradun. Wouldn't have been that much of a loss though.

Thanks to Raja's advice, I carried a pullover, which was really useful in Haridwar in the chilly morning. Reached the guesthouse and am now heading to work with a slight fever which has been nagging me from tuesday.

Every day's an adventure. You just need to know where to find it.

Luv,
P.R.

The week that was

Last Sunday was probably one of the worst days in my life. You know one of those situation you believe you never will ever be in and it happens to you. It happened and I was so disgusted with myself. More so cause I believed, I didn't deserve it.
Anyway life's a healer and gym's a bigger one. Gymmed 4 mornings this week and felt much better. Gym in the morning means waking up by 645 and carrying breakfast. The good thing is that it becomes a chummery routine now.
Played another tournament for ITC, though haven't yet scored, which is wierd. I've had the darndest luck with hitting the post and all. Maybe I'll peak for the semis and finals for which BTW we've qualified. Soccer under the floodlights is awesome fun.
Life meanwhile is going on. Work's hectic as usual. Missed another wedding. This time it was Damru's wedding in Nashik. Can't seem to manage my schedules properly. At this rate no friend will ever want to come for any event I invite them to.
Saw Sound of music with friends yesterday night and remembered every scene of the movie which I had last seen when I was 13/14. Somehow it's lost its charm in today's world. Though the music is still good to hear.
As a result of last night's movie, I woke up late and missed church in the morning and soccer too. I have become super lazy on Sundays nowadays. In fact planning to take a nap right about now.

Good night,

Luv,
PR

Destiny

It seemed like a dream,
And yet it was reality.
It was more than a coincidence,
It seemed like it was destiny.

It made me lose my ego,
and I even swallowed my pride.
What mattered most to me,
Was she by my side.

It seems like I knew her for eternity,
and yet there was so much more to know.
What was it that made her heart beat,
What was it that made her skin glow.

Maybe what she thought was a diamond,
Was but a mound of stone.
Maybe mine was not the heart,
She had wanted to make her own.

Thus ends what was a childish dream,
to think that this was destiny.
What was just a high note,
In life's sweet symphony.

the road of life is still long,
many a straight road, many a bend.
But in my heart of hearts I hoped,
That this high note would never end.

- PR