The Eden Experience!

I don’t follow cricket much because I believe it to be over hyped (also becoming an overdose with the IPL 20-20 format) and the cause for all the rest of the sports being relegated to the backseat. It has been made into a religion with a humongous following and the non-followers appear to be just by the handful. However the very fact that it hogs the limelight amongst all the sports and is always the talk of the town, makes it the very cause for anxiety for non-believers like me. So when the IPL fever had peaked , I decided to pay my maiden visit to the iconic Eden Gardens and see for myself what the religion meant to its followers.

All the information that I was loaded with ,regarding the ensuing match was ,about the playing teams and their respective captains, in addition to a couple of other players of international repute on both sides. This was for sure not going to help me in any way to enjoy the game.With this handicap and a lodged dislike for the slow game , I was all set to witness the CSK vs KKR match at Eden on the 7^th of April.

Now the question was, which team to support!It was not difficult for me to align with CSK. Reasons being ,there were too many to support KKR at the home ground, so the visitors needed to be backed , I didn’t like SRK and because Dhoni after the world cup win had done the country proud, and was being called “ Man with the Midas touch”, not to miss out on his good looks. So to show our solidarity my companions and me, put on yellow t-shirts and headed for the iconic ground which is the second largest stadium in the world with the capacity to seat 1,20,000 spectators , post renovation.

Each player was acknowledged before the start of the game and that was for the first time , I was hearing most of the names. But surprisingly the cheers from the crowd were reserved for them as well, though in no way comparable to those meant for names like Dhoni, Gambhir and Brett Lee. An element of interest arose when the cheergirls from KKR took their places and the crowd applauded vehemently ,however surprise took over when for CSK the cheergirls were accompanied by cheer boys. Anyways KKR had my support at least for their cheering team with the girls displaying lively and gracious moves during every small interval in contrast to the dull CSK cheerteam.

The game started at the Indian Standard Time just before my patience was about to run out.CSK won the toss and decided on first strike. Firstly watching the tiny players, fussing around with an even tinier, difficult to locate ball,did not interest me. Secondly I had no idea who was on the crease and who was bowling. My gaze would instantly shift to the cheer-girls who were after all apparently filled with more life than the sloppy players. Soon I found the need to munch on something, so we headed for purchasing snacks which to my utter dismay were selling at approximately three times the market price. Having shelled out money generously though with a little loath, we headed back for our seats.

The game gradually progressed from its boring stage ,the stadium was roaring and all of a sudden there appeared to be massive energy flowing through the crowds. My interest was brought back when the loss of a wicket produced a thunderous uproar or a subsequent four garnered considerable appreciation. It was then that I was reminded of the fact that Eden has indeed a vociferous crowd. Gradually I could sense the stadium brimming with life.People were cheering like wild, every individual seemed to be thoroughly involved, with their cheers, little dances of celebration, waving of hands,placards,water bottles or anything that the hand grasped and every time it appeared that the cameras were aiming in their direction, the intensity and enthusiasm of the crowd almost multiplied. Curiously I found myself to be one amongst the crowd doing exactly the same. There were times when a mighty four would made me stand on the seat and cheer with the others.

The best experience however,was when an apparently unceasing Mexican wave initiated at one end of the stand and did almost six to seven rounds, before dying down. This showed how every individual was part of the game or the religion and thus was in his own capacity a true worshiper.

I was thoroughly enjoying the vibrant and charged atmosphere at the stadium and had almost lost count of the time. For us as a group ,much of the fun lay in cheering for CSK after every mighty four which would instantly be cut short by a counter support for KKR as we were surrounded by their supporters who were by the horde. The friendly banter, cheering, counter cheering and booing continued inspite of sore throats and hoarse voice.

All this not just brought back my interest to the players on the field but also to the game which I had labeled as dull and boring.

However just when the interest and adrenaline seemed to be soaring, the rain played the spoilt sport and the game was brought to a halt. When the downpour refused to contain, KKR was doled out an easy win on account of the Duckworth-Lewis method which I believe was quite unfair, as in the 20-20 format there is always a fair chance of coming back into the game.With just half the overs bowled KKR was declared winner by 10 runs

But for me there was nothing to lose as I had had one of the best times of my life watching the game. As we strolled out of the stadium made heady by the charged atmosphere , I wanted more.I did not regret even a single moment spent at Eden in spite of the rain marred match.

It took me just that day to realize what the might of cricket was, as it was not just the players but also the spectators that made the match worth watching.And on that day,becoming transformed into a follower of the religion called cricket, was a remarkable experience.

Kolkata Road Transport: Like Nowhere Else!

Where on road,can you experience the slogging traffic and at the same time the speed of a racing car!

Believe it or not, the Kolkata road transport offers you both the opportunities and that too at dirt cheap price. This city is full of experiences that you may not come across elsewhere!

If you detest speed and have ample time in hand to look out of the window to savour a glimpse of Kolkata street life, a tram is the best means. Don’t be surprised if the hand drawn rickshaw, typical of Kolkata streets, whizzes past you or if you are overtaken by someone walking briskly. You will beyond doubt still see people using this mode, not to forget mentioning it being jam-packed during the rush evening hours. Another similar experience is when stuck in a traffic snarl, then be it your hatchback, sedan or your SUV, all move at an equated pace.

And if speed gives you the high, then forget the bikes and the highway, just get on board the blue coloured Govt. transport buses or even the red private minibuses. I take the liberty to call them “Govt. Racing Cars” or should they be labeled the “Concorde on Road”! Either ways they give you similar experience. These are everyday experiences that I undergo on my way back home in the evening.

Another peculiar feature on the roads of Kolkata, is how men are very much at home with the fact that they ought to get on or down a bus while it is speeding down rather than coming to a complete halt, while on the contrary, for ladies it is ensured that they get on or get down the bus only when it comes to a complete halt.Yes and the so called "Ladies only" seats are meant only for ladies.This practice is followed so religiously in the blue buses that even if some reserved seats for ladies are vacant and men outnumber the seats meant for them, they would in most of the cases be obliged to remain standing rather than occupy them.

Now Kolkata is a very passenger friendly city, with bus stop being anywhere a prospective passenger is seen signaling his hand for the bus to stop. Be it in the midst of a busy road, at a cross road, in an empty street or with fleets of vehicles honking behind it. The first priority is picking up the passenger.

Here, one tells the conductor the amount for which one wants to get a ticket made rather than telling him the destination and letting him decide the amount. So I tell him to make me a ticket for four rupees rather than tell him that I want a ticket for Purto Bhawan.

While early morning, rickshaw drivers may bicker with you to pay the” change” when handing over the “big note”, you may always rely on the bus conductors to give you Rs 96 back without any complaints , when charging four rupees from a hundred rupee note.

Now shuttle is the best way to travel long distance, when you want to avoid the hefty charge of a reserved taxi for long distance and at the same time seek the comfort of a private vehicle at pretty low rates. For dropping me at the airport from my house, while I may have the option of hiring the yellow taxis omnipresent on Kolkata streets by paying Rs. 180, I may also opt for a Rs. 40 drive in a shuttle. For the uninitiated, the description” shuttle” may apply to any kind of a personal vehicle, be it a TATA INNOVA or Maruti 800 used as a public transport and with a non-yellow number plate. Now the only challenge for those new to this place is to differentiate a shuttle from a personal vehicle. Well, time teaches you but chances are, that in your initial attempts you may find yourself being stared awkwardly in the face by the passengers ,when you crane in your neck at the windscreen of a stationed Indica, and inquire if it was going to a particular place.

But one of my experiences that stands out and solicits a mention,is the cat and mouse chase of two JNNURN low floor buses. Forget Delhi’s blueline rash driving, I experienced a real life thrill when another JNNURM bus vroomed and scraped past our bus, just sparing a violent shattering of glasses at an uber cool speed! This action not just started a reaction of colourful Bengali expletives from driver, conductor and passengers alike but also drove the driver to take corrective action and not let the culprit get ahead of him. So as our overtaker halted ahead to pick up passengers, our bus driver ran full throttle to show the other who the leader was. Determined not to be defeated, the speeding driver found the easy way out than to step up gas. He just steered his bus right into the middle of the path of our bus to prevent him from surging ahead causing our bus to come to a shuddering halt. This was not to be forgiven by our bus driver who now decided that the culprit should be brought to his senses after dragging him out of the bus. As both the driver and conductor shouted at him daring him to step out hoping to teach a lesson, the man realized that the only way out of getting thrashed publicly was to speed away, and so he did. But this was not destined to pass away so easily. So our driver decided to intercept his path and catch hold of him, even if it meant speeding at teeth-jarring speed on the potholed roads , driving on the road parallel to the other bus even if it was meant for opposite way traffic and above all with a busload of dumbstruck passengers. While this continued for about a minute and ended with the defeat of our bus driver, the disgusted driver ordered all the passengers to get down the bus as it would go no further. The aghast passengers were in no condition to argue and just got down all the while surprised that they managed to stay alive.

Well full of surprises, pleasant or unpleasant, but a drive on the Kolkata road is an experience in itself !

An Ode to Myself : How I Adore Thee !

How I adore thee, to limits that cannot be defined,

Would never violate thee in body, soul and mind.

Nothing infuriates me more than some insignificant entity,

making me lose my peace of mind and its sanctity.

I pamper thee, I behold thee ,I love thee, sans condition,

Strive to keep thee in good spirit and satisfaction.

I keep thee busy, trust and humour thee,

But you know that without you I could never be.

I seek thine company, give thee solitude and crowd,

In leisure with you I loiter or laze around.

I shed tears only to make for thee cathartic, the gloomy situation,

Thy art my witness to glory and humiliation.

I confide in you, duel you and reason out with you,

But there is none but you, that I come back to.

I listen to you, overlook you, and also ignore,

But you know, I cannot paddle without an oar.

So give me company, as long as you can,

Cause you are the shepherd that herds this lamb.

Keep me grounded and be my guiding light,

Make me blossom and guide me on the path of right.

Nature's Child

I am nature’s child.Nothing for me is more welcome, peaceful and salubrious ,as being in the midst of Mother Nature. Rendezvous with nature keeps me in good spirit. Lord Byron’s following verse in Childe Harold, aptly applies to me:

"There is pleasure in the pathless woods,

There is a rapture on the lonely shore,

There is society, where none intrudes,

By the deep sea, and music in its roar:

I love not man the less, but Nature more,

From these our interviews, in which I steal

From all I may be, or have been before,

To mingle with the Universe, and feel

What I can ne’er express, yet cannot all conceal."

I opine, that nature is the best creation of God.The eternal, ethereal, pious beauty of nature , unviolated by the destructive human touch, is a nectar for mind and ambrosia for soul. The multiplicity of hues and shades coupled with the enormity of expanse and minuscular details is simply mesmerizing. The very glimpse of it never fails to make me behold it with awe and inspiration. The soul that runs through this creation of the almighty also runs through me, and the very thought makes me feel so privileged and at peace.

I have been fortunate enough to be born and brought up in Mother Nature's lap.In my beautiful (though now deteriorating) hometown of Nainital, the clear blue sky with the cottony clouds, the murmuring brooks that finally meet their destiny in the lake, the chirping birds atop the pine, chinar,poplar and willow, the cool breeze from the lake, the snow flakes, the lashing rains and hail, smell of the earth after the first rain and the warm winter sun, all form an inseparable part of my childhood. Out here "Spring is the time of the year, when it is summer in the sun and winter in the shade" and where every season bestows a new colour to the surroundings, each prettier than the previous. With all the four seasons endowing their best in this geographical region of the temperate zone, I have been able to witness and appreciate the best that nature has endowed on humanity.

Every time I feel the need for rejuvenating myself, I end up picturing myself in a land which abounds in beauty that takes my breath away and renders my senses insufficient to imbibe it all in, the land where I will touch a thousand flowers and not pick one,I will feel the breeze and the warm sunshine in my face , where I will carelessly wander with no worries to trouble me, no pain to smart under and no conscience to be pricked, but just pure bliss that will manifest in the form of a smile on the lips, a song in the heart and a skip in every step. Having been away from my roots for quite some time now, I await and look forward to embark on such a journey where nature's solitude will give me company.

My Landlady’s Saga

As if the fact, that I had been over blessed with a PG with a perfect location and wonderful PG mates had to be compensated in one way or the other .Therefore the blessing was tempered, in the form of the wicked, miser, money minded landlady, whose philosophy, was that we ought to put up with all her eccentric decisions that she imposed on us and her actions demanded no questioning or challenging in return. This on her part, required just a simple blatant overlooking of the fact that we paid for what we availed. Ignoring the fact that we paid considerably more than what a comparable PG would have cost us and lived in complete harmony with the inmates as well as the neighbours , we were considered to be irresponsible, self centered ( as if we should have centered our existence around the landlady’s profitability and needs) and undisciplined girls. We were in a way prohibited from even asking for a logical explanation for a certain illogical step undertaken by her or even air our grievances arising as a result of some weird rule implemented by her.

Irrespective of the fact that since she was our landlady who ought to lent a patient ear to any of our problems while we stayed as a paying guest, it was considered a blasphemy if we called her up to disturb

her. A couple of calls to voice the same concern, was labeled an act of pestering by having called up infinite number of times solely with the motive of irritating her and rendering her life a living hell. Having been once slapped with the notice to vacate the PG for no discernable fault at our end but grave offence at her end, we all decided to keep a low profile even if it meant bearing up with the faulty services and inconveniences.

While she would sent us a copy of the rules and regulations that we were supposed to religiously follow, whenever she wanted us to remind of them; there were times when we were made to face a situation that ought to have been specified in the rules book before we were made to sign it, to show our acceptance. One such omitted rule was that during the occasion of Durga Puja, those who did not go to their respective homes, would be made to temporarily shift to another PG run by the landlady, where all the remaining girls were supposed to stay in order to make it economical for her. No one was supposed to tell her how inconvenient and troublesome it would be for the girls to pack everything right from a toothbrush, to clothes, to iron, to idols of Gods and ancillaries thereof for the Puja time, not to mention that it could get distracting for those who were during the professional training period to concentrate on their studies in the new location. Our effort to tell her the same, fell on deaf ears,as she only started a tirade of scolding for our being irresponsible and troublesome. Low grade ration, unhygienic food, insufficient vegetables, insufficient cutlery , same old menu month after month, gradual reduction in so called niceties like biweekly noodles , paneer or bread for sandwich , TV with no remote, broken curtain rods, leaking taps and dimly lit rooms ,were of course no reasons for complaining.

The house maids (masis) who looked after the house were in themselves unhygienic, leave alone the hygiene of the house. After staying for so long with one of them, when we had bonded well with the masi at our PG and had got used to her as she picked up some neat habits, the landlady decided to shuffle the housemaids. As getting accustomed to another maid did not find favour with either us ,or the maid herself, we decided to risk giving her another call, only to face another tirade of abuse and being asked as to who we were to question her decision.

Pelt a stone at slush and the drops land only on you. This was the thinking that we developed as we continued to stay in the PG, only because if seemed like a family together there and the PG was most conveniently located, close by to our respective offices. Initially our hunt for another PG had only strengthened our belief that it was the best possible option in every aspect of the company that we had at the PG and its location and safety. So making sure that any inconvenience was sorted out between the inmates, we continued living life our way except for the temporary, unavoidable, interference from the landlady which we considered just a passing phase not to be bothered by!