Talk about the tiny powerful point in the vast landscape of country map.
What to do when with Reliance net connection, the company is offering free subsription of Filmfare magazine for one year as surprise gift? Though there are few magazines, I do buy as per news/tech/artistic/business interests of mine. But I never bought Film magazines.
Everything happens for a reason. Not a bad idea for a bachelor to flip through star studded pages and updates on films !
So many tags I do carry myself, given by people around, time to time as per their love and hate. The exact words may range from Buddhu to Buddhiman , Pagla to Polite, Neta to Old movie character, Besharam to Brilliant , Software engineer to All rounder. I do carry all of them like stars of any defense personal to glorify myself ! On a serious note, gone are the days, when I used to care for them – the whatsoever personality is made till now, needs hardships to polish it up.
Its not exact analogy but something related to physical tag, that we do wear around necks. One day I needed to give my official tag card to one of friend, who was walking few stairs down, than I was actually present. I told him to catch that. He caught it and knowing let it fall down down in between the spirals of stairs gap. It flews down in the air to touch the ground floor. And he walked up smiling without caring for taking that up.
It was a friendly prank solely. We laughed as we 7 collegues were there. But in reality, seeing my tag falling down, because of his prank – my heart bleed. It was an unexpected prank. The acid test of mine again. Apart from friendly kicks to him, while getting down myself, I kept silent with smile. I picked that up and walked up.
I smiled despite the fact that I was really hurt.
Now only 3 hours of this incident had passed. The same guy needed to leave for outstation. He came up with his own tag – “Prem, can you keep it till… ?”
Taking his tag from his hand again with the smile, I just told – “Dear, just see, I am keeping your tag so safe in my pocket and never play such pranks. From you, I never expected that.” – To him, even telling sorry needed courage, he felt unable to keep eye contact with me any longer and left. (And I know the bonds got stronger.)
Wrapping the ribbon around the tag, I kept his tag safe in my pocket.
Now I don’t wonder when the tags are replaced by some other things. And by nature, history do repeats itself.
Friendship and looks, do they crash ever? I do wonder, why in the beautiful relations of friendship, the looks, even its ugly, is taken into consideration ever !
I have own unique looks like everyone around, and I would like to quote myself in eyes of two friends of mine, without their name hence permission from none.
Friend A, who does ‘appear’ as a gentleman.
“Aree taklu, aao ! ” ( Hey bald, come-in !) was his welcome sentence, when I entered his gate for the first time, when he was at home. Yeah, its worth to say that I have turned out semi bald. Later on, I had to bear his comments about my ‘formal dressing’ that ‘casual day’. He never knew that I did not had fine sports shoes and puma t-shirts on those days.
Later on I knew that it was not an intentional remark on looks, but his habit.
Even he have been with me for since a long time, he perhaps does not know me, that I am the rare breed of proud owners, of whatever looks, without a bit of inferior complexity at any point of time.
Friend B, who doesn’t ‘appear’ as a gentleman. And here goes the chat reproduction with him one night. He is in USA now.
12:50 AM he: aabhi tak online? ( Still online?)
me: nahi offline ( No offline, to add fun)
he: blogg lkh raha hay kuaa? ( Are you writing a blog)
12:51 AM me: haan (Yes)
12:52 AM he: tune apno blog mai aaik jagah flirt ke bare mai likha thaa ki tune kisi dost se puchaa and wo dost hasne laga wo gadha kon hay? ( You have written about flirting in your blog, when some of friend, strated laughing, who is this fool ? )
me: ha ha
12:53 AM he: mere bare mai to nahi thaa…kyonki shayad tune kabhi mere se bhi iis bare mai baat kiya thaa ( Was that instance about mine, as perhaps you have talked with me too about this)
me: haan wahi hai banda.. 🙂 ( yes, same is the person)
12:55 AM he: aare bhai maine shayad aise hin smile diya hoga tere bholepan and masumiyata me ( Hey brother, perhaps I have given smile on your simplicity )
me: haan tu hi mere bhai.. ( Yes, brother he is you)
he: tu bahut hi achaa ladka haay ( You are a nice guy )
me: comment dal de wahan pe..agar sach kahta hai to.. ( Put comment on my blog , if you are true).
12:56 AM he: idhar udhar ka load nahi lene ka yaar, likhen mai mujhe fight ho jati hay:) 🙁 ( Hey I cann’t do all these things, to write, I have to struggle a lot)
———– talk portion about family is removed ————
1:16 AM He: jo bhi hay, khush rhanene ka 🙂 and tujhe levis jeans pahane ki jarurat nahi hay:) ya fir reebok shoes tu jaisa hay bahut achaa hay wiase bande bahut kam hote hein dharati pe:) (Whatever, be happy. And you need not wear Levis jeans or otherwise Reebok shoes. What ever you are, you are fine. Like these guys are very less on the earth)
me: likh de wahin pe. ..kaas koi bandi impress ho jae . ha ha ( Write down these there only, may some girl get impressed,ha ha)
he: 🙂
He: chal mujhe abhi bahar niklana hay baad mai baat karta huin bbye aish kar:)
( I have to leave now, shall talk later,bbye . enjoy )
me: sure.. yaar . bye.. (Sure.. buddy.. bye)
Any Conclusion ?
It was one holiday morning, 8:30 am. And irrelevant of holiday, I had to leave for office early as the project finalization depended on me. Before leaving, I could not depend for water another 15 minutes.
Though the landlord assured that within 15 minutes water tanker is reaching as pipes were being laid in front of house. But it was the third time, I have to suffer without water. And it’s really horrible to start the day without the bath.
“I am leaving the house next month, as it’s difficult to suffer for basic things.” – I told landlord (appearing polite) and left for office, with a determination that I will leave this house this time. It is mandatory to say the landlord about the vacation time, as they have to return the 10 months’ rent paid in advance and find a another tenant.
I saw their dry faces after hearing me, like never , while moving away.
And the reality is, for getting this kind of 2 BHK house in posh locality, I have to pay almost double the advance and rent.
Anyway I wished to change the house since last month, when its main road got blocked with a wall (as it was said to be someone’s land!) and another way is the clean gali (Have you heard about the Mirza Ghalib’s gali !). A car can’t enter the gali in future!
Now a narration from third angle:
I am a tenant of independent ground floor, with no-complaints from them, as per my lifestyle.
Neither I understand landlord’s Tamil language nor they know Hindi / English and we do talk in need in Hinglish-Tamil-Kananda Language.
The day,when I was relocating to this house, somehow during transportation, my glass bowl of Chinese bamboo plant broke-up and I disposed the broken bowl on the way side dustbin. I felt really bad, as I love my plants. While unpacking my luggage, my landlord’s wife, just after seeing the plant without bowl, went upwards towards her 1st floor and brought me back one yera glass bowl and gave to me. It’s my personal observation that, most of the mothers have a sound sixth sense. It was a good omen for my beloved plant, that I have been growing, and still growing sound. One another day, to my surprise, when my tulsi plant once somehow damaged by rats or squirrels, was replanted by her. While I am on holidays, my dry pots, use to get water regularly. The morning flowers for prayers reach my door daily. Be any festival, the traditional Alpana is drawn in front of my gate too. And this landlord is never professional with a ‘landlord’ attitude.
Everything will be just past, when I shall leave the house. No emotional touch, no hurt ( Easy to dictate, difficult to follow ! ) . I told other friends to find out a home and telling brokers about my need.
—————————-$———————————
I came back in evening.
Water was there and I took bath and started cooking.
“Ting” – the door bell buzzed.
I opened the door. And landlord’s CA son was there. And he was apologizing for the water problem.
“Please do stay, water problem wouldn’t be there now onwards. And all the other following lines.
Though I didn’t told but he got assured that I am not leaving the house. At least this is not a pigeon hole flat. It had a nice flowering tree shadow, with squirrels, with lots of fresh air and away from traffic. Wait let me mention one important thing more, there is a scene of perfect India from the roof. The temporary slum of about hundred tents of labours. Its lying silent on the feet, of three proud high rise buildings being constructed around.
—————————-$———————————
Anyway, after few days, the landlord’s son, came with an invitation card and wrote my name on it. “Prem Piyush and Family“. Family was the extra word, not needed now.
Her sister is getting married after 3 days.I was happy to see his sister getting married. They must have taken pains to find out a suitable guy for the dark complexion girl, as well as arranging money. And I do guess the dowry ghost is still alive and lurks around ! And at the same time I was feeling bad as I had told them to vacate the house, in the times, when they must be going under financial crunches !
I am a smart guy now. And I did not carried any bag with me, while returning from office. Never I felt any need to buy a plastic jhola bag, as its used in home. I can’t carry plastic bags as my father use to do, keeping one inside his office bag.
Anyway food is needed for all generations , be was for old thought’s gen-ABC or current my gen-X. If you are calorie conscious and maintaining the waist size and blah blah, count all calories spent and to be consumed before eating a bit of popcorn.
If you are not a fast food addict, you can try some slow cooking too , but the precondition is you should have necessary PQ. Never heard this term, don’t worry, I will give gyan. Patience Quotient (PQ) is something, never taught in text-books. But one thing I know is, PQ’s lowest level is the red-chilli sauce ready to pop-up the bottle seal and highest level is the ice-cream pack kept in the deep freezer) .
So if you can go for slow cooking, tips from me – put a framed photo of Sanjeev Kapoor of Khana-Khazana fame , in the kitchen, and do experiments. My days are going busy otherwise, I have plans to be guest at Sanjeev’s house, one-day, to know, who really cooks at his home!
In any case while cooking, don’t remember Mother’s cooked food in those hungry hours, otherwise you shall not find anything tasty after cooking.
Anyway vitamins are needed to keep body and mind fit , and vegetables are great source of them. So I decided to buy some vegetables,while returning back from office. While choosing a vegetable shop, I think to help the business of small vendors rather than supermarket. What an excellent thought of socialism! Still no one awarded me, pity !
I buy some vegetables. As language problem is here, otherwise little price bargain would have taken place here too. Saving a rupees 2 is a great achievement.
As I am north Indian , I bought 1 kg potato, 500 grams of onions and 250 grams of tomato.
Had I been a South Indian, the quantities might have reversed here. Me, some Gundappaswami Premnathan could have bought, 1 Kg of tomato and 500 grams of onion and 250 grams of potato.
Of course the shopping list is long, but wouldn’t mention details, otherwise, I have cook it here ! But worth to mention that after all vegetable and groceries bought, it became the congregation of 7 plastic bags. Now my left hand’s each finger got some responsibility, though unevenly distribute. Right hand is free but with big plastic carry bag , with addtional role to carry mobile phone, as its my brains outer part. My brain’s connectivity with whole world is most important.
Though any call can arrive any moment and I have to attend that at any cost. I do cross the road, but why should I be careful while crossing the road, the drivers must understand, that I am talking on a serious topic.
Anyway I am not sure, while crossing road, if my all plastic bags will be intact, when Driver too would be attending the call of her worried wife, while driving.
I crossed the road successfully, oh no, usually, like thousands others are crossing in India. I reached the home. But here cooking is still to be done…
I am a small town’s ordinary guy, looking khalis XYZ… stumbled into this corporate world. I am writing it, as I want to look smart.
Today, Reebok logo sneaks out from my shoes ! To mention, I took care of that logo while purchasing the shoe as it should be seen prominently. My grandma will laugh aloud, if she hears the price. But I have to buy that one here for so called my feet’s comfort and of course a show off !
While walking, I do take care that my branded jean’s logo sticker reflects itself from my butt. Levis Strauss will get at least one compliment from my colleague. I preferred to change my specs and replaced with newer frameless ones, from the showroom of Lawrence and Mayo. My T-Shirt declares that – I am imported Nike. I walk composed with effervescence of some fine deo into the air around, as girls like them !
With so many self learnt tricks of looking smart, I learnt the art of saying “Hi” after widening my lips.
I am trying to adapt the metro culture here in Bangalore.
Though I am a avid lover of movies especially thematic ones, since last one year in Bangalore, with such nice multiplexes, I still have to enter some hall. May be its going to be 2 years that I have been to a cinema hall. Blame not still having allocated money to be spent for my dear-friends or not having sufficient time on weekends. I do wish to go, but when my own people will be around here ! Funny, is not !
Its my personal preference that, my real life activity partners and friends don’t even appear in the friend list of Orkut, whoever there are, better to call them acquaintances. Some of them never registered even there.
Keep reading, now to confess, few days back, I did asked one of my expert classmate, what is flirting ! He laughed a lot, and gave me some tips. I wished, had I learnt them earlier. Similarly last year I asked another friend, what is dating. What girls and guys do in dating ? Shy… I felt while I asked the question. Though I don’t want to appear dumb, but wanted to know, as small towns doesn’t give much opportunity to learn this art/science of knowing the opposite sex better !
In metro, these lessons seem necessary for majority of smart junta. Experimentation / time pass / natural need of sharing emotions, and of course, knowing each other may be basic purpose of dating. Though after writing this post again, I may not fit the dating frame. So I sit on net with my eyes wide open. Now in the orkuted world, I went through many the profiles and found these are the things, which ‘turns on’ the people and are needed, as per today’s open culture.
Anyway in real life, as not matured enough, I miss a bigger circle here, and hence the scopes of enjoyment available, as I didn’t learnt the art of occassional cocktail parties, flirting, making fun of silly action of others and to show off my branded butt.
On last sunday, my hopping into the popular book stacks at Landmark, gave me the conclusion that – there are tallest stacks of the books – “Five Point Someone ” and “A night at Call Center”. I have long back finished them off. Well written ones. Near by other stacks of books are APJ Abdul kalam’s national dreams and personality development books (that I rarely read). I have been given enough diet of life leading Sanskrit slokas in childhood only.
And the whole episode of these different popular book stacks suggests the changing pattern of life style of Gen-X ( hence reading ).
Fast food is everything – be it literature after using less and less brain to understand it, add fun to life, and dreams of a golden India, and fastest personality development methods – yes there are countable number of methods to develop the personality. Cook well and serve them – ready to eat and digest.
Worth to mention here, body hugging t-shirt and jeans girls are looking smarter than small town shy salwar-kurta girls. Cool and S*** – two words can be used to flirt with girls here ! I do feel envy of pairs, hand tied at the restaurants. Have to scold / make fun of some one – use F***.
The fact is this culture is trying to attract me and I am trying to be myself – mixing up two blends. The perfect cocktail. Even if, have I been blessed to be in that circle with all joys, I could never been happy at the end of day.
To me are the blessed points, as I am happy and content with myself and a job – that I really love to do, my creative hobbies and my real activity partners here / net.
For the instances of look, I started to write, I do wish I would have been happier, if I could walk into my Bata Jubilee leather sandals, and unknown company’s jean’s sticker covered with my kurta with natural giggles, and do participate in some cultural groups around and feel, Yeah I am doing something for my inner satisfaction !
Hope, I do look smart !
Kerala is rich in Handicrafts too. My Kerala tour was really good in all terms. I was able to spend considerable time in Uravu shop for handicrafts. I bought many coconut and wood crafts to my satisfaction. At the counter, when the purchased items were arranged at one place, a small cardboard box was needed to pack them up and needed a special
care in return journey.
I knew my purchases, hence spending support their efforts. And to be frank, when the bill was presented to me, I requested them for making it to some round figure. Its worth to say that they reduced it a considerable themselves more than what I expected. Hope this money (including more), I shall spent for those crafts again for those wooden pair of elephants some day!
Almost every place of India has some indigenous natural products. For our local area, we have Jute of best quality for handicrafts. And Kerala is rich in coconut, wood, forest (dry) flowers and stones. Since generations lasts, they have learnt the method of processing, refining and giving them a shape of elegance.
From a whole coconut with fibers they can make a cute elephant, flower vases and so many other items. There can be whole description about the usefulness of coconut fibers for making handicrafts. The Bamboo trunk, they use for making a whole variety of table top items as well as wall hangings. But after seeing the bamboo craft, I felt NE Indian craftsmen are better in indigenous Bamboo craft work. There were whole range of spices and paintings too for sales.
When the fortunate enough people, work in sync with underprivileged ones, filling up any unnecessary gaps, with helping hands and clean soul, social economics prospers.
I enquired about the shop and they gave their visiting cards and information booklet. All these social initiative were taken by Uravu. Now with my inquisitive tendency, we discussed about their efforts. I shall like to personally see their tribal crafts processing sometime in future.
The year finished really hard for the bread and butter. Lots of learning for the next leap. Nothing to complain.
From today, it will be a history, that I used to work officially on saturdays.
Am ready to welcome the new schedule and more new news in the new year. Thanks to the ideal couple, that I have observed. May God bless you with prosperity and happiness in the new year. May your pair dance again in next year !
For the time being, I need a good sleep now 🙂
मेरी बहन पिंकी को समर्पित – जिसकी बत्तीसी बहूत दिनों से नहीं दिखी है और जिसकी इच्छा थी इसे ब्लाग पे डालने की ।
हाँ तो मैनें एक वादा किया था कुछ दिनों पहले । सो मैं अब ब्लाग गाड़ी का स्टियरिंग घुमा रहा हूँ , हमारी लेखन शैली से ।
एक छिपी बात यह है कि मैं हरेक रविवार शापिंग कम्पलेक्स में ह्युमर का बटी खोजने जाता था । वहाँ पुरे भारत से आयी खुबसुरत लड़कियाँ खुब मिल जाती, पर ह्युमर कहीं भी नहीं मिलती । बाद में उनके बराबर वहाँ आने का राज पता चला – वो भी सेंट ( सेंस) आफ ह्युमर खोजने आती थी ।
वैसे एक गहरी रात शांता ( अरे ये शांता कोई लड़की नहीं, क्रिसमस का दाढ़ी वाला पेटु शांता क्लाउज है) मेरे कमरे में कुछ रहस्यमय गिफ्ट टपका गया ।
खैर जाने दिजीए ये बातें, इस कड़ाके की ठंड में गँवार की दुकान की थोड़ी चाय पेश रहा हूँ, मलाई मारकर । आशा है, चुस्की मारकर पियेंगे । वैसे पसंद न आए तो इसे फेंकने की चिंता मत किजीए , अनेक इंडियन लोगों की तरह घर के बाहर वाला , खुले सड़क का विशाल कुड़ादान है ना ।
अब कास्टिंग खत्म और फिल्म चालु आहे ।
यह कहानी है – मेरी पहली हवाई यात्रा की ।
गारंटी है कि खेत के मेड़ से, आपके दादाजी की तरह हमारे दादाजी ने भी आकाश में कई बार हवाई जहाज उड़ते देखी होगी, जब तक सिर के ऊपर से वह पुरी तरह से गुजर न जाए। उस पर चढ़ने का स्वपन देखने की गलती उन्होनें नहीं की होगी, इतना तो मुझे पुरा विश्वास है । वे लोग बस बगल से एक बार हवाई जहाज देख पाते तो खुद को भाग्यशाली मानते । ये अलग बात है खेत के मेड़ से हवाई – जहाज देखने के दौरान, इधर उनका भैंसा अपना ही खेत चर गया ।
अच्छा छोड़िए गुजरे जमाने की, सीधे लैंडिंग किजीए हमारे जमाने में । हमारे कस्बों में लालु नेता, आई मिन, आलु नेता, भिंडी नेता को भाषण के लिए भीड़ जमानी हो तो बस हेलीकाप्टर से पहूँचना होता है । हमारे गाँवों में तो खैनी डोलते पटुआ के खेत से बस हेलीकाप्टर भगवान का दर्शन करने पहूँच जाती है, भारी भीड़ ।
जाने दीजिए गाँव की बात ,हमारे शहर में, मैं भी एक बार ऐसे ही भाषण सुनने गया था, पर देखता रहा दो घंटे तक हेलीकाप्टर और उसके बड़े – बड़े डैने और दिमाग भिड़ाता रहा उसे फंक्सनिंग पर।
खानदान में सबने प्लेन देखा, पर दूर से । सबके आशीर्वाद से पैसावाला हो गया ना, अब तो मैं बगल से प्लेन देख सकता हूँ । यह मन चिड़ैया भी है ना, बड़ा लोभी होता है । ट्रेन में नये यात्री की तरह, बैठने दो तो पैर उठाने का जगह निकाल लेगा, पैर उठाने दो तो, थोड़ी देर में पसर जाएगा । आमदनी बढ़ी तो मेरे मन का अपना धंधा शुरू हो गया । अब मानव जन्म सार्थक करने का मौका है । कुछ घंटो के लिए पंछी का अवतार मिल सकता है ।
हाँ तो मैनें ठान लिया, प्लेन पर चढ़ना है । इकोनामी क्लास की हवाई यात्रा भी चलेगी । गुग्गुल की बुटी दादाजी के दवाई के काम आता था । ये कैसा होता है कभी जानने की कोशिश नहीं की हमने पर वैसा ही कुछ मिलता जुलता नाम का उपयोग हमने गुग्गुल डाट काम का किया ईटरनेट में – सस्ते फ्लाईट खोजने में । बहुत छानकर मिला एक – स्पाईस जेट । शब्दार्थ खोजा तो पता चला – मशाला जेट । वैसे स्पाईस जेट के प्रचार में लाल ड्रेस में एयर होस्टेस एकदम लाल परी सी लग रही थी । मैनें भी मशाला फिल्मों से इसे जोड़ दिया । मतलब ये हुआ कि, हवाई जहाज में खुबसुरत एयर होस्टेस । अब क्या था – मन हिलोरें मारने लगा । इस मुसीबत की दुनिया से काफी उपर, नील आकाश में लाल परियों के साथ यात्रा ।
शुरु हो गयी तैयारी । टिकट बुक करवाया ईटरनेट से । मगर विश्वास नहीं हुआ कि बिना लाईन में लगे खुद से प्रिटिंग किया हूआ कागज टिकट कैसे हो सकता है । खुद को ऐसे मनाया कि मेरे को ठग सकते है सभी को थोड़े ही न ठगेंगे । कुछ भी हो हमलोग समझदार यात्री है, हमने टिकट परे छपे नियम-कानुन ध्यान से पढ़े । देखा एक ही बैग ले जाने को कहा है – उसकी लंबाई – चौड़ाई – ऊँचाई – भार, 35 किलो सब निर्धारित है । एक अलग से लैपटाप जा सकता है । चल तब तो ठीक है ।
टिकट करवाया था यात्रा के एक महीना पहले । घर पे तो पहले बता ही दिया कि मैं इस बार फ्लाईट से आ रहा हूँ । रिश्तेदारों में यह बात फैल गयी । अब उनसे बात होती तो, फ्लाईट का जिक्र जरूर करता । दिन गिनने लगा मैं फिर ।
सामान भर कर बैग बहुत भारी लग रहा था – कहीं 35 किलो तो न हो गया । सुबह पनसारी की दुकान गया । कहा – भैया मेरा बैग नाप दो जरा । चावल -दाल के जगह बैग, वह शायद सोच रहा होगा । पता है, वह भारी था सिर्फ 15 किलो ।
उस दिन फ्लाईट शाम को थी । आफिस से भी जाया जा सकता था, यही तो बिजी लाईफ है न । आफिस का काम भी ज्यादा कुछ नहीं, मगर आन लाईन बहुत दिनों बाद भेंट हो गयी – एक पुरानी दोस्त । जिसके पास शिकायतों का पुरी रेडीमेड पोटली थी । पर मैनें न छेड़ी उसे । पता था – अगर पोटली खुली तो, शांति का आशा नहीं थी । और उस दिन को मैं पुरी शुभ यात्रा बनाना चाहता था । फिर किसी को जान बुझकर दुखी करके यात्रा थोड़े ही न बनता है । सो मैनें थोड़ी देर ही सही बिलकुल नये दोस्त के तरह बात की, वो खुश और मैं भी खुश । बाई – बाई फिर आफलाईन ।
दोपहर का खाना आफिस में उस दिन खाया भी न जाता था । फुल एक्साईटमेंट । बहुत सारे सहकर्मियों के लिए हवाई यात्रा, आटो रिक्शा जैसा था । मैं एक बार खाली चढ़ तो लुँ, हवाई जहाज पर, हरेक साफ्टवेयर प्रोफेशनल की तरह अपना भी जन्म सार्थक हो जाए । एयरपोर्ट जाने के नाम पे आटोवाले ने भी रेट ज्यादा लगाया । उसका रेट पचास रुपये ज्यादा था । खैर मैंने भी सोचा, प्लेन पर चलने वाले को इन आटो वालों से ज्यादा मोल भाव नहीं करना चाहिए । मैं भी मान गया, उसका रेट । वो भी जा खुश होकर ले जा रहा था हवाई यात्री को । मैं महसुस कर रहा था – पुरा गर्वित ।
वैसे ही घर सात महीने के बाद जा रहा था – वो भी हवाई जहाज से । वहाँ घर पे सब महीने – दिन – अब घंटे गिन रहे थे । खुब नाम लिया – अपने भगवान का ।
एयरपोर्ट पर पहूँचकर देखा तो सब स्टेन्डर्ड यात्री । ज्यादातर बढ़िया सुटकेश और बढ़िया बैग लेकर चलने वाले । इधर हमारे स्टेशन पर तो झोला वाले ज्यादा दिखते हैं , वैसे सस्ते सुटकेश ही आजकल खुब दिखते हैं – दिल्ली, पंजाब जाने वालों मजदुरों के ।
हम भी हाई क्वालिटी साफ्टवेयर मजदुर जो ठहरे । मन में प्लान हो गया कि अगली बार के लिए एक हवाई यात्रा लायक सैमसोनाईट सुटकेश खरीदना होगा , आखिर हमारे सम्मान की बात है । खैर हमने भी अपना बैग का चेन चेक कर लिया था । किस्सा था कि उस बैग का चेन कभी-कभी स्लिप करता था ।
हमारे एक मित्र हैं – जिन्होनें बता दिया था कि पुरी जाँच पड़ताल होती है, सीट नम्बर भी वहीं मिलेगा इसलिए एक घंटा पहले जाना चाहिए । हमने लिखा देखा – “चेक इन” और खड़ा हो गया, अपना बैग लेकर । मैं पुरा एक घंटे पहले पहूचा था ना इसलिए नबंर एक मे था लाईन में । पुरे बीस मिनट खड़ा रहा वहीं । पीछे मुढ़कर देखा तो लंबी लाईन लगी थी । मैं पुरा गौरवान्वित महसुस कर रहा था उस समय , नहीं तो मुझे एक बार लेट से स्टेशन पहूँचकर चलती गाड़ी में चढ़ने का बुरा अनुभव रहा है ।
शुरु हो गयी चेक – इन । मेरे सामने एक पट्टी चलने लगी । एक स्टाफ ने डाल दिया मेरा बैग उस पट्टी पे । चला गया, बेचारा बैग – बिना मालिक का , एक छोटी सी गुफा में । मेरे पैर के मोच का एक्स रे करवाया था दो सौ रुपये लगे थे । अरे वाह, यहाँ सामान का एक्स रे फ्री । हमें बगल के दुसरे रास्ते से टिकट देखकर जाने दिया । सोचा कि मेरा बैग मिल जाएगा अंदर जाकर । पर नहीं मिला बैग,मैं वहाँ खड़ा रहा । मेरे पीछे खड़े कई महाशय अपना सुटकेश लेकर चले गये । उसके बाद दो लोग और अपना सामान लेकर चले गये । मगर मेरा दिमाग ठनका – कुछ गड़बड़ हुआ है । मेरा बैग देखा तो जाँच करने वालों ने उठाकर रख लिया था । मुझे खड़ा देख जाँच करने वाला पुछा – “ये आपका बैग है, पता चला है कि इसमे तीन बड़े- बड़े पैक्ड डब्बे है ।” “अरे सही है यार, एक्स रे मशीन तो उस्ताद है “- मैनें सोचा । मैनें कहा – “दवाई हैं “। उसने मुझे बैग खोलने को कहा – “चैक होगा “। लोगों के भरे एयरपोर्ट में, मैं खोल कर निकाल रहा था अपना सामान । हाय रे , गई मेरी प्राईवेसी बुट लादने । मैनें दिखाई उनको महंगी आयुर्वेदिक दवाई के तीनों सील्ड पैकेट , जो मैंने माँ के लिए खरीदी थी । वे पुछने लगा -” डाक्टर का पुर्जा कहाँ है “। वो फिर कहने लगा -” दवाई बिना पुर्जा के ले जाने नहीं दिया जाता ” । खैर उस बंदे को मैनें समझा दिया – आयुर्वेदिक दवाई के पुर्जे नहीं होते । वो अब पुछने लगा -” दवाई के उपयोग “। डाक्टर तो बन न पाया , पर अब उसे ऐसा डाक्टरी अंदाज मे समझा दिया, उसने वह भी सोच रहा होगा कि उसे एक पैकेट गिफ्ट में कोई देता । वह संतुष्ट हो गया कि मैं उग्रवादी (टाईप) नहीं हूं । खैर मुक्ति मिली ।
बैग से पैक्ड सामान को निकालकर फिर से डालना भी बड़ा कष्टकर होता है । अब चेन से मस्क्कत करने के बाद मैनें बैग उन्हें दे दिया । उनलोगों नें उसे पुरा सुरक्षा स्टीकर से सील किया ।
अब मेरे पीछे आये सारे लोग हवाई अड्डे में सभी बड़े प्रेम से अपना सामान लेकर जा रहे हैं , सीट नम्बर लेने । अब एक बात तो पक्की थी कि मेरे से पहले बहूत लोग अपना सीट नंबर ले चुके थे । किस्मत मेरी अगर तेज रही तो ही मिलेगी, खिड़की वाली सीट । अब आगे जाकर देखा तो दुकान सी लगी हूई थी, सभी हवाई कंपनियों की । किंगफिसर वाले का राजसी लाल कालीन बिछा था, उनके काउंटर के सामने l। ईर्ष्या से जल भुनकर रह गया मैं । पर अपनी किस्मत में मिला मैं खोज रहा था , सस्ते फ्लाईट, स्पाईस जेट का काउंटर । दिख गई लाल परी काउंटर पर । वहाँ मैं फिर लाईऩ में लग गया । अभिवादन किया लाल परी ने । अरे क्या खुब मुस्काई । बडी तेज दिखती थी, उतनी है तेज चलती थी उसकी पतली भिंडी सी अंगुलियाँ, उसके कंप्युटर पर । साफ्टवेयर इंडस्ट्री में इन परियों के लिए कुछ सीटों का आरक्षण का विधेयक संसद में पेश होना चाहिए । उसने फिर मुस्कुराकर पुछा – कोई सीट की इच्छा । मैनें झट से कहा – खिड़की के तरफ । वो सिर हिलाई – मतलब मिल गया । हमारी लाटरी लग गयी । मन तो किया कि लाल-परी का मोबाईल नंबर या ई-मेल आई-डी ले लुँ । पर स्वाभिमानी मैं भी कम नहीं – नहीं लिया ।
उधर मेरा बैग एक बंदे ने वहीं पर ले लिया । देखा चली गयी बेचारी बैग – फिर एक पटरी पे ।
रह गया हाथ में मेरा अपना हैडबैग , जिसमें सोई थी – मेरी प्यारी बीबी, आई मिन – मेरा लैपटाप, पानी का बोतल, मेरी इस्कान की किताबें और नास्ता । अब लग गया मैं फिर से लाईन में । अब जाना था – वेटिंग कारिडार में । फिर जाँच हूई मेरे है़डबैग की – लग रहा था , फिर इसका भी एक्स-रे होगा । हे भगवान – परीक्षा पास करा दे – मेरे इस बैग को । डाल दिया बैग फिर एक फीते पे । फिर उधर जाकर देखा – बेचारा बैग दो-चार पलटियाँ खाकर लुढ़का हूआ है , बाकी लोगों के बैग के साथ । इतने बेदर्द क्यों है ये लोग ? मेरे लैपलाप का कुछ हुआ तो नहीं – मेरी धुकधुकी शुरु हो गयी । खैर तसल्ली इस बात से हुई कि शायद ऐसा सबके बैग के साथ होता होगा, सो कोई बात नहीं ।
वहाँ जाकर देखा, बस फर्स्ट क्लास वेटिंग रुम जैसा कुर्सी की लाईन । एक बंदे को देखा तो लैपटाप खोलकर बड़ी तेजी से कुछ लिख रहा था, और वैसी ही खुब मुस्कुरा रहा था । मैं समझ गया – बंदा किसी गर्ल-फ्रेंड से चैटिंग कर रहा हैं । वैसे आफिस में खाना तो ठीक से खाया तो नहीं गया, अब लगी थी भुख बड़ी तेज । देखा सामने नास्ते का काउंटर है । कई तरह के सजाए खाने का सामान । दो पावरोटी, मतलब टोस्ट, के भीतर चम्मचभर सब्जी डाल दो तो यहाँ कहते हैं – सैंडविच – कीमत चालीस रुपये । समोसा – तीस रुपये । काफी तीस रुपये । अब याद आ गया मेरा स्टेशन , पावरोटी पाँच रुपया पैकेट, समोसा – दो रुपया । काफी – पाँच रुपये ।
खैर मैं भी हवाई जहाज पे जा रहा था । ट्रेन की यात्रा से ये काफी बेहतर है ना, मैने अब पर्स का मोटापा भी वैसा कर लिया था । सो आर्डर किया सैडविच और काफी । सत्तर रुपये का बिल । पेट क्या भरा, बोलकर अब फायदा नहीं ।
अब मेरी अंगुलियाँ खाते-खाते दुख रही है । याद आ रही है दुरदर्शन के बीते जमाने में रविवार के फिल्म की इंटरवल वाली बात –
फीचर फिल्म का शेष भाग 7:45 पर । आई मिन – कहानी जारी रहेगी …..
As considerable number of ‘ISKCON Bangalore’ search results comes to this blog, so it may turn useful to say about our festivals celebrated there.
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness supports the preservation and promotion of the Vedic culture. ISKCON Bangalore celebrates Vatsalya, a talent search cultural contest for women, to encourage their understanding of the rich Indian culture. It’s a wonderful platform for them to come together and exhibit their talents. A fest of this kind will indeed be a memorable experience for all.
Please find the details here :
www.iskconbangalore.org/vatsalya
Hare Krishna.