U-turn? : enlightened by 'Soch'

Not in a mood to sit in office for long today, I decided to leave early. 'Lets catch the 6:45 bus!' For a person who normally leaves by 9:30PM or 10:40 PM from office, leaving the office while sky is still orange in no less than winning a lottery! Finally found a seat in one of the buses in the long queue that would be going to Mayfair.

While I was eagerly waiting for the bus to start and move, I heard a soft female voice reciting Path. The voice was very clear, melodious and coming from a source which was very close. Removing my headphones I figured the source, a girl sitting in front seat was reciting 'Rehras Sahib' (An evening path done in Sikhism religion). I was surprised, impressed, startled, happy - all at same time. Had hardly met someone from my religion who was religious in last 4 years. But why is she reciting at an audible volume level and that too in the bus? For a second I thought what is this show off for? But the pace was slow which could mean she was trying to understand the meaning (not reading hurriedly like me with the motive to just complete the path), or was she trying to make the person sitting with her familiar with the pronunciation? My mind had generated lots of questions in the last minute....The girl sitting next to her seemed to be sleeping, but path was being done for someone...and I noticed she was wearing a headphone and was on a call!! The mystery was becoming even more interesting for me now! But I had to wait till the path was over!

I passed my time talking to Shashank, while checking at regular intervals about the path. Almost at the end of the Anand Sahib, the path would soon be over and I will get answers to my questions...Good! The wait times are always paining for me! She was neatly wrapping the Gutka (The holy book from which path is done) in the cloth (Rumala) when I interrupted her. She turned back with a surprise, but I think she knew this was coming. It is not easy to ignore a turban...specially if you are from the same religion. Hey...we had seen each other before. I remember seeing her in cafeteria, we almost making out that we were Punjabis but we had never talked to each other.

I started with an apology for interruption and explained my eagerness for the query which had soared its heights of impatience till now. I was told that she was doing path with her friend on phone. Now that still sounded bit hard for me to digest. Finally I got to know the complete story...about her, about them - the group called 'Soch' and their activities....

Abt me...I think I have changed, and I feel like I am standing at a position where I am very different from what I was when I was a kid. Basically brought up in a Sikhism school 'Guru Nanak Public School, Ludhiana' I learned how to do path and kirtan while I was in school. Being in touch with all that then and now being so away from everything makes me feel sad sometimes. I often get to hear from my Mom "If you had learned all that when you were you a kid, you should not forget it now." Of course she would be feeling bad about it, she taught me all that while I was too small to understand it but I still followed it, and now when I am grown up I have forgotten to walk on the same path when I can understand the significance of it...

There has been a kind of inner awakening in the past few months, when I have been feeling I should get back to what I was earlier. I somehow feel more at peace, composed, confident when I am connected to God. I had started understanding Bani and was downloading and understanding Kirtan form various websites like sikhsangeet.com and srigranth.org. Thanks to the online web which had made this so easy for me and thanks to couple of members in Sikhism community in orkut who had introduced me to these websites.

Just when I was feeling a need to get another ray of light to guide me walking on the same path, I had heard this stranger reciting Rehras Sahib in the bus...But believe me, it is not easy to strike a conversation with a stranger. But I could not have avoided it as well, thanks to the her laggan, pace, melody with which she was doing her path which had inspired to strike a conversation, and as we talked I concluded striking this conversation was not a bad idea! She was quite enthusiastic about the group and its workings and I was too eager to know about such a group which had been existing in Hyderabad all this while. I felt like asking "Where were you all this while?" but I knew the question had to be actually framed like "Where was I all this while when she and her group were so active in this!" :-)

We discussed about the group, its regular meetings in the weekends in a house which the group had named 'Khalsa House' for there were couple of Sikhs in the house and there used to be meetings in the house on early Saturdays. Reciting Banis and practicing Kirtan were the activities that were done along with the preparation of Langar, discussions about meanings of the Bani and clarification of the doubts. The Sundays meets were at Secunderabad Gurudwara where the group recites Kirtan. And this group had its members from all IT corporates - Infosys, Satyam, Wipro, Oracle...I felt like everybody was there except me! :(

I got to see a lot of snaps of the group for the various activities - Turban tying competition which included Keski worn by lot of girls, the ones clicked when they were finalizing the video which was submitted to Sikhnet Youth Film Festival, the others of the times when their group had gone to Maharashtra to teach the kids about Sikhism and to strengthen their faith and lots of other pics as well. We were talking non stop, me sharing my experiences but I was still falling short of what I could narrate as compared to her who almost had a world to reproduce in her own words. I like these moments when I feel I am not that talkative...there are people who can give me competition! :)

I was quite sure since the start of the conversation that I had to be part of this group, but the ending had almost sealed my decision and while closing the conversation I had to change her count of group members from 15 to 16...there was a new one joining them from this weekend. I am looking forward for the coming weekend when I would be meeting all of them and am hoping to learn a lot from them. Not really sure if the journey from here is a New start for me or A U-turn to a state of life which was left behind few years back...

Sat Sri Akal ji _/\_

It was raining very heavily since evening and I was standing at a local bus stop where my office bus had just dropped me. I was waiting for a local bus/auto that could take me home. A small private bus came and I signaled conductor to wait as I rushed towards the bus. "Aa jao Paaji" conductor replied back with a smile. As I climbed into the bus I saw a Sardar with flowing beard sitting at third seat, and we smiled at each other and greeted each other with Sat Sri Akal ji. Before you ask me...No, I didn't know this person and it was first time I had seen him. I was about to sit somewhere when I noticed him adjusting the arm rest and moving to the corner seat inviting me to the seat adjacent to him.

I wasn't like this before, I mean I never used to greet strangers. It has been almost four years in Hyderabad, a place where I cannot see many Sardars as I could see and meet in Punjab. Spotting someone with Turban/Keski (smaller turban) definitely catches my attention today. But all this changed gradually. I remember first time it was an old aged man greeting me with Sat Sri Akal in a local Gurudwara here, and I responded back with same. The first thought was he might have mistaken me for somebody else...but then I noticed every Sardar greeting each other like this every time they crossed each other. But I was still hesitant to wish somebody..what would it look like wishing a stranger in middle of the road!

But things started getting into my head when I moved to US. Spotting a Sardar in US specially in some cities was a very rare event. And I myself used to feel so happy when I used to meet one! Conversations started from a simple wish, to whereabouts, native place, current occupation and so on...Sat Sri Akal just used to be a starter to a whole meal! I remember going to Indian restraunts in Cincinnati and Atlanta where most of the chefs and serving boys used to be from villages from Punjab. And my glass of water used to served with a firm handshake and 'Sat Sri Akal Paaji' in a deep Punjabi accent. And I too used to respond back with same affection! I was startled when all this happened first time, but then I got used to this extra hospitality! :-) Of course I used to be pushed forward by my friends at billing time for extra discounts! :-D and the main chef used to walk out from Kitchen wishing me Sat Sri Akal, with turban on his head and his white beard complimenting his apron, specially to meet me - someone who was from their land, their home country, someone who could remind them of their life left back at their homes....

After developing this habit in US, I was still not sure if I would continue it in India, but I got my answer soon. It had been just few days me being back and I saw a Sikh boy, dude types....walking with his girlfriend coming from opposite direction on my side of road. I tossed the coin in my mind and chose 'No', he might not like to be disturbed. And this could be what I would continue with as well. But as they approached me, the guy folded his hands, bowed his head and wished "Sat Sri Akal Veerji" as if he had just read my mind and wanted me to continue with this practice. I smiled broadly (actually laughed at myself) and wished him back...and that gave me a hint of what I have to continue with!

If you have been in touch with Sikh families, you would know that since childhood the kids are taught to wish Sat Sri Akal to all those who they meet. And kids so sweetly fold there hands and mumble in their unclear words. But the practice just seems to get lost as they grow up.

The actual meaning of Sat Sri Akal, which is actually half of the complete greeting.

Sat = Sadeevi , Hamesha rehan wala (Always existant)

Sri = Respectful term.

Akaal = Beyond time, God is always associated with present (He is there), never God was or God will be.

So now if you fuse all 3 words into one sentence you get:
Jo bole so nihal, Sat Sri Akal = Blessed are thee who say, The Immortal God is truth from before time, till after.
So now it has become a habit for me to greet everyone like this. Of course I get startled expressions from some, but mostly it is gesture of bowing head, gentle wish and a smile.

My request to chat lovers, lets not abbreviate it! Stop using abbreviation 'SSA' in chats, we have already taken a lot of short cuts in our lives. We can chat for hours and sound crap in all those long sentences that we type, but lets not try to conserve our energies while typing these 3 words.

The bus had reached the bus stop close to my home, and the small journey had passed with a series of questions of my whereabouts, native place, work place .... and before I got down we wished each other Sat Sri Akal!

The 99 Club

Sharing a beautiful story of our lives...
Once upon a time, there lived a King who, despite his luxurious lifestyle, was neither happy nor content. One day, the King came upon a servant who was singing happily while he worked. This fascinated the King; why was he, the Supreme Ruler of the Land, unhappy and gloomy, while a lowly servant had so much joy.

The King asked the servant, "Why are you so happy?"
The man replied, "Your Majesty, I am nothing but a servant, but my family and I don't need too much - just a roof over our heads and warm food to fill our tummies."
The king was not satisfied with that reply. Later in the day, he sought the advice of his most trusted advisor. After hearing the King's woes and the servant's story, the advisor said,
"Your Majesty, I believe that the servant has not been made part of The 99 Club."

"The 99 Club? And what exactly is that?" the King inquired.

The advisor replied, "Your Majesty, to truly know what The 99 Club is, place 99 Gold coins in a bag and leave it at this servant's doorstep ."

Done.

When the servant saw the bag, he took it into his house. When he opened the bag, he let out a great shout of joy... So many gold coins! He began to count them.

After several counts, he was at last convinced that there were only 99 coins.
He wondered, "What could've happened to that last gold coin? Surely, no one would leave 99 coins!" He looked everywhere he could, but that final coin was elusive. Finally, exhausted, he decided that he was going to have to work harder than ever to earn that gold coin and complete his collection.

From that day, the servant's life was changed. He was overworked, horribly grumpy, and castigated his family for not helping him make that 100th gold coin. He stopped singing while he worked. Witnessing this drastic transformation, the King was puzzled. When he sought his advisor's help, the advisor said, "Your Majesty, the servant has now officially joined The 99 Club."

He continued, " The 99 Club is a name given to those people who have enough to be happy but are never contented, because they're always yearning and striving for that extra 1 telling to themselves: "Let me get that one final thing and then I will be happy for life."

--------------------------------------------

We aren't different from the King's servant...just that nobody needs to leave a bag of 99 gold coins outside our house to make us join the '99 club'. We are already part of it - struggling to get higher pay cheques, better homes, better life style, running from milestones of comfort to luxuries to lavishes! Most of the time I am amongst everybody running in this never ending marathon of life, but sometimes I do pause to give myself a breathing break, and say 'Will this ever end?' I am pretty happy and content with what I have but still the search for the last coin would never end in our lives...

Rishte yeh pakne do...Raakhi spl! :)

Rakhi (Rakhdi in punjabi) - No doubts for it being the most awaited festival for all girls! :-) Not just because they keep on waiting for the gifts that they would get, they like to get it from their brothers and its a special occasion to tease each other before gifts and Rakhi are exchanged.

I think Cadbury well identified the charm of this festival in Indian crowd and that explains their lovely ads that just come up some days before Rakhi - "Cadbury Celebrations - Bandhan" Ads and their Tag line "Kyunki rakhi par sirf shagun kaafi nahi..." is enough to tempt both brothers and sisters to buy them! The ads are available at Cadbury's site at
http://www.cadburyindia.com/downloads/ads-celebrations.asp
Check out the Cadbury Celebrations - Bandhan ones..The second one is my fav which came in 2004. There are two gifts lying on the table and the elder sister is tying Rakhi to the brother. The younger sister meanwhile swaps the order of the gifts so that she can get Cadbury Celebrations hamper while the other gift which is wrapped in a decorative paper (now on top) goes to elder one.

But the brother swaps it again and gifts the Cadbury one to elder sister. The younger one sadly ties the Rakhi, making faces but then is so glad to see the same but bigger hamper under the gift cover! Beautiful expressions, nice direction..
A must watch! :-)

I just watched it and I am still humming the song (written by Gulzar for Cadbury) that plays in background...

Rishte yeh pakne do..

Aankhon se chakhne do..
Dil agar dhadke to..
Seene mein rakhne do!

It has been almost four years I havn't been to my home on Rakhi. And my sis courier's it to me every time. I usually do my part online, a month earlier than the event..Thanks to ICICI Bank's online facilities! :-) The transaction normally used to be converted to what she wanted when she visited Market next time. If ICICI Bank comes to know this I am sure they would come up with some sweet advertisement next year...Transaction hone do! :-p

With a Rakhi that I get from my sis every year, I also get a nicely wrapped small packet of Dry Fruit mixed with elaichi (replacement for the sweets that she can't courier me) and a hand written letter in her beautiful handwriting where she almost says her heart out. She always writes and hopes that we are together at this occasion next time, but last four years have always kept me tied in my job and life, rather than to be back home at this time. Anyways going home at Rakhi meant losing my chances of getting leave at Diwali which again was not acceptable, so I chose to be guilty at this occasion.
Her letters/greeting card is what makes me feel special for this occasion...

I hope I would be actually getting my Rakhi tied from sis next time, rather than my right and left hand playing the role of brother and sister!
Rishte yeh pakne do...

The 'luxury' of paid leave

Have often seen friends discussing about the number of paid leaves that one gets from their offices. Attending personal chores and still getting paid for those days! Aren't we lucky?

Since I am on leave these days for my post-surgery recovery, I feel myself to be lucky for having them. Was just thinking today that we have enough of bank balances that we don't need to worry about anything when we take a off from office. What about a daily wage labourer? Can he take a leave and be paid for his day as well?

There will be so many of those in this world who need to arrange for their night meals on the same day. And so many out of them who even after working hard all day are not able to meet the bare minimum to support their family.

These two paras from two different Jagjit Singh's ghazals suddenly come into my mind:

Bhukhe bachon ko sulaane ke liye,
Maa ne bhi paani rijhaya der tak.
--------------
and the other one...
Ai khuda ret ke sahera ko samandar kar de,
yaan chhalakti hui aankhon ko bhi pathar kar de

Aur kuch bhi mujhe darkaar nahin hai lekin,
meri chaadar mere pairon ke barabar kar de.

The S-Day (Surgery Day)

Finally the day is here!
You must have heard the D-Day, but here is..what I call and will remember as the "S-day" - 'The Surgery Day' of my life..

7th August
11:00
"I have a surgery scheduled for today.."
"Please go to 4th floor from back entrance"
Various thoughts hustling through my mind as I move towards back entrance. Till now the surgery feeling had somehow not been able to creep into my mind. Had just been cracking jokes with my frnd Gokul who was accompanying me. We were thinking of asking the doctor to give me Sanjay Dutt's black color eye cover like in Khalnayak instead of normal green plastic one! :-)
Almost took a promise from Gokul that he would not rush downstairs to recieve a call from his fiancee, as there was no network on the operation theater floor. I told him..Doctor bahar aake bol dega ki yeh medicine la ke do abhi...aur tum nahin hue to??..Kahin mat jaana! Gokul got my joke instantly..and replied..Arre Amrit ji...aisa sirf filmon mein hi hota hai! and we both burst into into laughter, while I was thinking in my mind....Mujhe to lagta tha surgery bhi sirf filmon mein hi hoti hai! :-)
After making the payment, I was taken to another floor where I handed over my belongings to Gokul and from here on I had to be alone. Watch, cell, bag, wallet...I removed my 'Kadda' but instantly put it back on my wrist....didn't want to be operated without it.

11:45
As I was entering the hall I noticed a person in blue gown with cap on his head and mask covering his face, mending a door knob with a screw driver. And this was enough to give me jitters! and I thought.... Are carpenters doctors as well, or are doctors also working as carpenters with screw drivers!! Whichever way....none seemed to be comfortable!
Was instructed to wear a dull brown gown. I somehow liked the pale blue gown which doctors were wearing but then I would never be offered that one :-) After all they knew how to mend a door knob! :-D

12:15
Finally a nurse tied a 'friendship band' arnd my wrist with my name, blood group and MR Code (unique code to identify each patient) and pasted a green colored sticker on top of my eye which was to be operated. I really thanked God for this thought, which would allow doctors to know which eye to operate...just in case I fainted! ;-) and of course I kept on checking if the sticker was in place after every minute from then, to make it sure doctors are not confused!

12:30
The anaesthesia room was far below my expectations or rather my dream surgery. Tubelights!! I was thinking of round big lights as in Hindi movies...a red light outside the hall indicating that operation is going on..
Hi, I am Dr. ....., I am Anaesthesia specialist. We would be giving you local anasthesia so that you don't feel any pain during the surgery.
And the child in me immediately asked: And what about the pain after the surgery?
He laughed a little and continued...We would give you pain killers...Don't worry..
And that cruel fellow injected two syringes around my eye. A cap was put around my eye which had actually hurt at that time, but I had to bear it as I was told that that was the only pain I would have to suffer all that day.

12:45
All my imaginary drawings (expectations as well) of Operation Theater were coming alive as I was being shifted from Anaesthesia room to Operation Theater. Big lights, swarm of doctors all with their faces covered with masks, Nurses, medical equipment...'Perfect bad dream'...and irony was that ...I had paid for it! :-'(

13:00
I was covered completely from head to toe including my face, leaving just a hole exposing my eye for the surgery. I was asked if I am fine and if they could start the surgery. After their first stroke someone confirmed with me, if I felt any pain. The anaesthesia was in full effect giving them all the powers to proceed. While the surgery was taking place all I could feel was the voices of the doctors falling over my ears. They discussing in medical terms as they operated me..Doctor asking for medical equipments after every few minutes, with in between demands of cotton and buds.

13:30
I was feeling tensed...how is surgery going on?? Would it be successful? Me praying while it was happening...Trying to look for the voice of the main doctor whom I had met during all my appointments to make sure he was still there taking part in my surgery and had not handed over the task to his interns.
Finally the voice of a female doctor.."Room lights...Cotton...Eye Cap"
The surgery was over. The doctor said it was successful. Though it would take around 2 weeks for me to heal completely.

13:45
Gokul must have woken with a startle when attendant called his name in the waiting room. His sleep deprived eyes (the result of late night phone conversations) always confirming he will soon be married. But as promised he had not gone downstairs to attend his fiancee's phone call..not sleeping was anyways not part of the deal! :-) He instantly smiled at me for I was wearing the same green plastic eye cap and not the Sanju baba's Khalnayak black eye cover! That meant no Madhuri dance for us! ;-) Thanks a ton to Gokul for being there all this while, and help me stay cool on my S-Day.

I am at home these days, still recovering from the swelling and redness in the eye. Am glad it was successful...after all I lived a whole life in the operation theater. Will be joining my office on 18th Aug..Hope I am fine by then....

Request or a Greedy bet??

Since childhood I remember people praying to God, wishing for something and offering whatever they can as a token of their faith and respect towards him.
But the story seems to be changing when I hear people say...
"Mera yeh kaam poora ho jaye to main aake Naariyal chadaungi!"
"Main hazoor sahib de darshan karan jaunga bas meri eh dil di muraad poori ho jaye!"

Doesn't that sound like people trying to tempt God by offering him some materialistic thing which again is gifted by him to us? Does he really listens to us when we 'gift' him something?

Shouldn't the situation be otherwise:- A naariyal/ A trip to holy place, as a token of worship and praying for whatever you want, leaving for God to decide what he wants to do later on? :-)