Kanpur Central & 4005

A bit of description on the title: Train no: 4005 (Lichhavi Express) : Source station: Sitamarhi (Bihar), and terminates at Anand Vihar, Delhi NCT via Kanpur. I wish if I could have glanced through this much info before boarding the train (since I've started travelling alone, by far, I've made it a point to check the details, as it's always better to have known the facts that to ask from strangers that may lead to stupid situations).

Anyhow...

Kanpur is a beautiful city (I loved it, as I got so much love from the people with whom I interacted in just a day over there). I went there recently for some work (shall give details on this later). Coming back to the point: The city people.... I get down from Rewa Express...walk down the stairs with 7 things in my checklist to do: Keeping in mind that I've stepped into a city I've never been before. Told myself: Never mind...And walked on till I reached the hawker wheel, and spotted a middle-aged man selling newspapers, along with those 'train-reading-specific' magazines etc etc. I ask him..If I can get a copy of TOI. He throws a quick glance at me (donned a pistachio green Khadi kurta), and I felt am I looking not-from-Kanpur type (but how come, by then two IITians had asked if I was going to the IIT, Kanpur:))...He gave me the copy of the newspaper (which I forgot to carry along). I asked him about the distance of the hotel, where I was supposed to check in, from the station. He gave me a fair idea, also told me how much should be the auto fare (and pictured which landmark should come before the hotel, ahead of the hotel, adjacent to the hotel and in front of the hotel.) Now, I'm clear. However, before the auto chaps go ready to fleece me, i made a smart move as I could see them coming from a distance (this expertise comes from my days at TOI, Hyderabad where people had started calling me the 'auto' reporter: The one who writes not on automobiles, but on auto rickshaws that ply on the city road. That was a subject I wrote quite frequently on)...

I reach outside of the Kanpur Central station, by then had got an auto. But suddenly I realised, TOI wasn't with me (went in again and got it). The disappointed auto chap looked suddenly happy when he saw me approaching his rickshaw. Now, I get in. He takes a bumpy bylane, and I ask (why this road, as if I know all the roads). But I was right, he quickly said: "short cut!!!" And, I was busy reading the names of the landmarks, lanes, bylanes so that when he asks me something, "I should be fluent and accurate"! I ask him: "any local market to get the local flavour of Kanpur?". His reply,"check out this big bazaar madam, you will like it". (He refers to some mall here.) And, I feel, no malls again. But there you go! And I got the feeling that why every retail giant (Indian as well as multinationals) have chosen to set shops in the cities and towns of the country?

I cross a big building of Kotak Mahindra bank (felt familiar), along with some other nationalised banks on one building, and some sign boards (one here is the same where I was supposed to report for work). And, I cross a fabIndia store (again familiar)...by then the auto chap had given me loads of gyan (history) of the hotel that I was going to. While getting down, he assures me of a cheaper deal of an air-conditioned room there. Now, a ray of smile reaches my lips, and I deny his offer, by even telling him that I've already got one done. But, he insists again. (I did tell him why did he charge me so much for not a great distance? I did interrupt him while he chose a short-cut route! I did not show my happiness when he wanted me to check out the mall near by!) But still, he was concerned.

I really like the view of the hotel, so much green, and quite that bunglow style! I enter the reception; I see tea trays are being carried to the lawn (yes, people do wake up in the morning, unlike me for whom that a morning to be seen because of her schedule). I sit now, and call up the person (Mr something...) And he greets me, and informs the room is booked and etc etc. Then I discover that I'm in the middle of a hospitality mess, (they have given my room to a guy, who did n't look Indian, and who was the first one to greet me with a 'good morning' while I was entering the hotel). And, I get to see the room where no one stays, and monkeys guard the flat with the guards, of course!, and from where the Ganga can be seen, and the other stories like how the German girl Amelia stayed there, and how that flat is the owner's favourite, etc etc. But these stories did not seem to make me feel pleased.

I ventured into some photography of the garden with the dearest CoolPix S4000. And the maid comes, and cleans the room etc etc. I'm now the silent witness to the mess, but I enjoyed the morning breeze, and by observing the gardener: The way he was treating every plant was so different in treatment: Such is life, you have to treat different things differently to make them look better. The flavour of life was just explained at the tip of his grass cutter.

And I shift to my room, a nice one, after around 2 hours, and I feel easy now. This and that happen then, the routine, etc etc...

now, I start my day after taking directions to reach near that gurudwara! They insist to get me a cab/auto to the hotel, but I choose to explore! I see cute, little rickshaws that remind of my native place back in Odisha, the texture is similar. I go left, then I go right, and I pause near a rickshaw puller (an old man in his 60s may be), looking forward to help me. I ask him if he could drop me at a place, from which I can reach directly at my destination. Now, this man again gives me options, and tells me he will take 10 bucks to get me an auto (looking into my eyes, thinking that I might yell at him). Now, I take into account what was going inside his mind, and I clamber into his rickshaw. He tells me now how much should the auto chap charge me, and how ancient the hotel is where I was staying etc etc. I'm in awe of the Kanpur people by now (There's more to come). He now talks to the auto chat chap (Raju bhai, an interesting fellow with Kanpur in his words!) and settles for a fare, and bids me good bye for he could help me out. I get into the auto, but I can't take my eyes off till the old man disappears from that chowk. Now, Raju bhai tells me not to let the auto guys know that I'm coming from Delhi, or they will leave no stone unturned to fleece me, and etc etc. And he also gives a brief on the hotel I was staying in that how it was urned out to be a hotel where the English men stayed during that era. And he revisits the history of people, the geography of religions, and the existence of God among his comments on the traffic rules at Kanpur. I ask him, how far is the IIT, Kanpur (may be the only place besides the leather industry that I knew about Kanpur, as a kid had heard a lot about it). And, he directs me that it's nearby the place I was going to, when he explains the names of the chowks, crossings, lanes! In between, he had given his contact number to me, and he asks me to go to Kanpur again, when he would let me see the city, and the local markets as local delicacies. And he makes me reach on time, and bids adieu with a 'namaste madam'!

And now, I meet Shukla jee at that office (a man, a wikipedia who has travelled across India, has worked with bigwigs, but he eats less:))...He approaches me: "Beta: Have you eaten? When do you have to go back? and where are putting up?"...While I'm yet to answer his first question, his flurry of questions make me feel I'm home may be! And he joins me for lunch. We talk on work, Indian Railways, my place, his place and etc etc. He greets me, and introduces his son to me, and feels sorry that I couldn't visit his place. And now, I tell him that I've worked already for more than 3 years, and had finished my studies long back...Then he moves to other topics (never mind, for Shukla jee, I would go for a pass on this). We come back, and I see the bill boards of those brands on whom I've been writing on how their strategy has become to be a leader in the tier-2 and tier-3 cities. Kanpur looks so familiar.

From Birhana road to Chowk Bazaar to Miston Road (famous for leather stuff), Gumti no5, GT Road (could recall these names): Amit Bhaiya, (an employee where Shukla jee also works), takes me to these places. He helps me do my random shopping of leather stuff. He didn't yell, neither did he show his disgust. And while coming back to the hotel, I remember a colleague who wanted Thaggu ke laddu and how can I forget that! When I just mentioned if I could visit the shop, a prompt Amit bhaiya says, why not? Let's go. And he takes me to the show where Mr Bachchan did the shooting for a Bollywood flick! The first shop. He smiles as I jump down the car to reach at the laddus (though I don't relish sweets much, but I love getting it for the sweet-lovers: They look so cute when they hog on to it:). I'm back at the hotel, and they say I should taste the food there, and thus I should have my dinner before leaving. And now I get another 'namaste' from the hotel boss! Amit bhaiya said, if my train is at 10 pm, I should rest, and leave for the station accordingly. I adore these moments now. He drops me at the station. And when he doesn't take my token of love towards his service, I say: "nothing else for he got me the laduus for my friends. And, he takes it with a gripping smile"...

Now my train -- 4005-- is two-a-half hrs late. I sit at the station till 12.45 pm, and finally I board 4005: A number that I can never forget (a lesson to remember): Another post sometime later. But one thing came to my mind: Had my friends not been there, I couldn't have got the updates on the time table of 4005 in anyway. I felt like they have the weighing machines (where you put a Re1 coin, and your weight comes in a platform-ticket size format, behind which is written your fortune or some interesting info about your favourite Bollywood actor)...if there could be any system, where one can go, and put a Re 1 coin, and get the status update of the respective trains (for when there is network problem to connect with someone far away from the particular station). I know, I might be asking for more, but is it something that can't be developed. I think, we have the brains in this country.

But I'm waiting to visit Kanpur again!!!Coming coming Kanpur: Still have to do some shopping :)

PS: I may have wrongly spelled some proper nouns, no offence though!

My pent house

And it seems today is the last night. And, I disappointed 2 Leos (by not talking 2 one, and by not visiting another: But I did talk to the 2nd one as I couldn't be present in person)...I probably wanted to be here at my my home (I remember Rahul: your words: Delhi for you is Mayur Vihar, phase-1, 33G, pocket 4)..as you put it: "the den of this lioness "...

This and that...again, I've got loads of emotions with this house...(of course, how can I forget that night, when it rained last year, and half of my books, DVDs got drenched..I was fuming literally). But...

12th September, 2010

With apologies, I am going to complete the above unfinished post (as it's unedited, and whatever is keyed in has to be published), which was put to a halt because of my mood swing for more than two months. This is what they call, the creative mood. One can get loads of other things at one go, but to get a hang of this particular thing, it takes ages, at times, here at least the wait was not too long.

But...

I really miss 33G yet. However, 359H, pocket-2 ain't bad, I'm sure now. May be that was the reason I took so long to finish this post. Let me thank Punyatoya, a junior from IIMC, a fellow Odiya (who also cooks well), and the English connection (the strongest one though amongst all), drew me today to get this half-finished one going. Her comment (on the first post) was the urge this time to write again. I bow down to get me going again: It was necessary.

She finally came home last evening (11th September, 2010), after yes, no, let's see kinda response since we got to know each other. Of course, the conversation started with the general office this & that, and how cheap can people think about others!

Sad...but this is where we all live in, right? Trying hard to let them know what's right and what's not. But failing with every attempt to make it possible.

Anyhow (the Leo says, this is again similar)...

Whosoever by now has come over: Rahul, Lopa, Abhishek, Mihir, Badri, bhai, Vibha, Raja and troupe (bhai's gang), and now Punyatoya : They have come and cherished these places (33G & 359 H). The more thay have opened up, and the more we have talked on anything and everything around whenever the night has set in. The terrace is a 'character' here.

Having said about the main character here, along with the night -- the central character -- let me move on to the discussion that we have had last night.

That was dynamic as life, and interesting as we were trying to decode relationships, and what goes wrong, and why so? While we got all the answers, the 'why' part was left unanswered.

When you really feel for someone, 'why' can't he/she get you right?

When you do all that to make him/her happy, why can't you get your share of happiness?

When you shed all that you can for him/her, why can't they complement?

So many 'whys'....sigh...sigh...sigh...

But that's how everyone is paired. Is it to draw an equilibrium? If yes, then why not with the right souls, for that matter? Is it that you are human that you are prone to such 'situations'? or is it that you can take it all, so you are given? If someone can't (popped up some characters from the discussion, who just don't care, but they get it all, and, of course, the other lot, who does everything but always left to the wonders of imagination)...

Be it the instance that Su (Suanshu) narrated about a close friend, or, the one that Punyatoya narrated about a fellow human; or, be it, the one that Shabda observed like the bullet just touched her (she felt the air when the bullet crossed her) --- it's the story of compatibility and what they call, 'real love'...Yeah, like the lyrics from the Bryan Adams numbers: You can relate to...

They have all met with it, which can't be termed as an accident, but no less than that. Here, there isn't a wound, but the aftermath prevails. You don't get the support system but you insanely need it. You can talk it out, but your lips are sealed. What is this? Any answers...

You are afraid of the the society (means mostly the Facebook feeds today) or back home, those crazy relatives, who just ask you about the trail of mishaps without considering how comfortable you are at the moment.

Is the answer: Men are from Mars and women are from Venus?, the book; or, is it time to get started on that "on-air system" to get to those people not to offer solutions to their feelings but to just be there to listen to them, and join hands with them till they get what they need (not want) to complete "this life", at least.

However, we crossed the mid-night also, but no answers yet. The day dawned, started all the routine work...but it's still lurking there? Can we get there to just get them back on track...Life's beautiful, and they are cutie pies, who have all the rights to blush in bliss....

....Waiting for the call of the bliss, followed by night after night...

press-con or marriage party

First, apologies for moving away for more than a month! It's just that business-related writing and stuff just keeps me busy without any self-interest. But I wanted to see how boring it can get. But yes, media, the glamour part can get anyone hooked on to it--be it the newspapers, channels, or other media available out on the space. This post is on the press conference of STAR India's new logo and the new brand campaign (16th June, 7.30 pm, Taj Mansingh).

This time I reached before time for this press conference which was scheduled to start at 7 pm, I was told it was at 7.30pm (it started at 8.30pm) at Taj Mansingh, Delhi. I reached because I thought I could get late due to traffic. Non-journos can sympathise, as no event starts on time neither any journalist reaches on time. And, this is the rule of this road. But this time, this journalist was before time, as she had no clue on what she was going to write on as the boss only had said--they are doing some 'revamp' thing (she still doesn't know)! Then the formal procedure starts--you enter, you register, pick up your media kit and go in, meanwhile, you don't forget to co-ordinate with that particular PR with whom you are in touch with to take things forward. As these big companies always know which medium/newspaper/channel they want to give the exclusive to. Then happens the formal press conference where you get a CD, a press note, and some PR/Corporate Communications contacts written on them.

Then starts the real drama. Journos keep coming (freshers will reach first, then other journos with subsequent years of experience will keep coming in). Interesting! You get to hear the journo-talking. "So, are you going to file (non-journos read 'write') it tonight?"..And, pat comes the answer-- "I don't know what to write. What's there to write in fact. They have just launched a new logo, which is already on air. I'll see!" Juices/refreshments keep coming up. The vegetarians would hesitantly ask--"Is it something in veg?" and the 5-star hotel boss will reply-- "sorry mam, this is non-veg, but let me get something for you." So journos will enjoy the ambiance but with a permanent disgust-- "how long would they take to start? I have just come to say 'hi, hello though, as our Mumbai team has already written on it (the Mumbai people would say the Delhi team has filed it!)'. Oh..lemme see that marketing guy's name ya! Or, I wouldn't be knowing when I'll go and talk to him. How funny!" Kudos to you journos. I feel how have you managed so far? But it's no great. Just be a bit coated everywhere, one doesn't have to show the world one's ignorance--the mantra of new-age reporters. If you have got your public relation right, they will do the needful, and you will just have to supervise a bit, which ain't take longer. And, you are done! (No offence at the journos--this is again just an observation)

Finally, it was 9pm, and the press-con had started. The COO was engrossed with the power point presentation to make every bit clear as to how his company is growing fast (After all, where would he use his Business school skills better that he must have learnt in his IIM days). Once he is done with the slides, statistics, TVC (television commercial) clips etc etc, he invites questions, and the CEO joins him. Then comes 3,4 questions (1 logical, 1 funny, 1 interesting and 1 unnecessary).

As every journo wants to write something exclusive how could they ask their questions in a press con? But the fact remains--the company guy will only disclose what he is supposed to no matter how cunning a journo gets (if he gets a chance at all to speak to the CEO or CFO as the corp com knows, as mentioned earlier, to which media the company wants to talk to).

So, no work is done , as the company guys are pre-occupied, and they would have to catch a flight in the morning the next day to report at their respective headquarters. And, the PR assures for a tele-con or an e-mail interaction (none can beat technology).

Then starts something which one can relate to an Indian marriage party. Fun, food, music and chit-chat. The journos now forget what they are going to write, or not write. Those pompous hugs, kisses, cuddles just do the rounds for the next 10 minutes--the who's who is there--so what could be a better time to socialise. Some general dialogues--- "Meet XXX, he/she is from YYY. You have my card no! Do keep in touch. And, listen you should meet that guy. You know her na! oh come on! she is with ZZZ. And so on."

They just go on, just imagine a function at your place where all your relatives come, and just chit-chat over nothing as well as everything.

The press-cons are about exchanging business cards, which is the new-age networking. And then you look for the person on social networking sites like Facebook or Twitter (if you really want to add one more friend to your list). And the company people at times tell you--"oh! your publication has a new business card. Nice! Lot of initiatives to market your paper. Good!"

And they party on--the company people and the who's who of journos...

And some wait for fellow journos to fit in a cab of the same locality (at times, the co-passengers indulge in exotic fruits at these 5-stars by letting others wait for them or trying for a change of job through some reference at the press-con). Loads happen, and they bid good byes to one another with that big, fat smile on their faces, which echoes the post-marriage party frames faintly!!

Well, the post is written. But this journo is thinking--when will I file the story? damn...I'm gonna have it man when the editor asks.

Back in the saddle. We all are angels in the training.

Tahaan revisited

Birbalaaa.....ho hohoh..,,(echoes an 8-year old) and a soothing background score with a kind of rustic feeling is on. Starts Tahaan, the movie...A movie filled with the picturesque of the locales of the awe-inspiring valley of Kashmir, those wooden shacks, tiny huts, people busy weaving bamboo stuff, and mostly-seen pets --donkeys---all of this just takes you to another world, where there is peace and a cool breeze, sans the tension part.

Before more on this classic tale of dedication, a few glances at this child actor, Purav Bhandare (Tahaan). His eyes are damn talkative, and he is just another actor in the making. Darsheel (Safary) of Taare Zameen Par fame (he also has a gf, for who doesn't know) has that naughtyness in his attitude, but Purav says it all through his eyes (that love, confidence and never-say-die attitude for his donkey--Birbal-is something that one can't miss out on throughout the film). In the beginning, when he gets angry on his grandfather (Victor Banerjee) and is not in talking terms with Abba (he calls him so). The plot builds up. Grandfather is telling a story, Tahan's elder sister, Zoya, is listening, Haba (Sarika, Tahaan's mother) is making a oval bundle out of wool for knitting purpose. And, Tahaan forgets his anger and gets close to his grandfather as the story unfolds. Here, the way Purav does the whole shot is something like --you just can't take your eyes off the screen when he is on it.

That's the subtle work by the one of the best cinematographers of the country --Santosh Sivan--if not anything--the way he has captured the locales with every minute details is something that a not-so-filmy person can take notice of. It's like he has made the valleys talk and walk along with the characters.

Tahaan gets drawn towards violence without an idea of the very existence of its existence, but his eyes (again take notice of it), he makes it clear that it's just his dedication to get his beloved friend, Birbal (a donkey), whom he adores, loves, even scolds for being careless about life (the first voice-over--when he spots Birbal after searching for him amidst the valleys, he says that the donkey's carelessness wouldn't get the doneky a chance to enter the school).

It came sometime in 2008, and just vanished from the theatres (I also can't recall; when did it come, CAN YOU?), and critics said that it was not a mass-market release, while the problem was with the film's marketing. Yes, how can I be so sure? I watched it sometime in 2009, of course, it was again Purav's eyes and Mr Sivan's name, and Kashmir that persuaded me to buy the VCD. I watched it back-to-back thrice. And then I read the reviews, reports on its box-office success but was utterly disappointed. And mostly, I got to read that it's not a mass-market movie. I thought probably, I feel it's mass-market, but I couldn't sit over it. I let 8 people whom I know have varied choice on watching films by lending that VCD. And, you won't believe the responses that I got--two words--A MUST WATCH. There you go!!!True, that I tested it with a negligible audience but it's a movie worth watching.

It's about the determination and to let bonding prevail, no matter what happens. The journey of a Kashmiri kid to get his donkey back, that also involves those terror-stricken encounters that even kids have to face there, is something that relates to many in the lost crowd.

I was doing a story (non-journos, read article) on children's films in India, during the release of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince on July 17, 2009, and I spoke to some of the film-makers who have made films for kids, or kids as the theme/central character. How could I complete the story without taking Mr Sivan's opinion (after watching Tahaan), as I so wanted to know if the film was made for the mass-market from the director's mouth. And he said, the first thing, "It's not a children's film. It's a movie for all. Tahaan, sans songs (only one Kashmiri song), is a film that can be seen with different perspectives, and thus has a niche audience. It rocked various festivals. Among other awards, Tahaan also received the best film, European UNICEF award in Greece. It was sold in 11 countries and major satellite networks."

The projection of life behind the mountains--where all those activities take place, and where they reside--again Tahaan sees through the mountains when he decides to step out without informing Moujee (his mom, Haba, played by Sarika), he at glance portrays his fear, courage, illusions and determination in that one look. As they are the same, behind which his father went missing three years back. Yes, if nothing else, it is a movie to watch to enjoy the wonderful cinematography if nothing else. But Tahaan's expressions are also something that one should go for.

As they say, "All for love. Here, it's all for the love of a donkey". Tahaan did get his donkey back, and Birbal also wanted to come back to Tahaan. So if you haven't checked out this one yet, hurry up!!!I'm sure, you would just fall for Tahaan. So did I, as a visual of the film was my wallpaper for more than 6 months till I left that office.

At times, donkeys get so important in life!!!!!!!

Decoding a practical fool

And the first post is written. Overwhelming responses, with some motivational ones. Those were needed. Thanks all, for you still remember (those with I've worked for couple of months) me, and the ones who can 'read' me day in and day out (they know me so well).

This one will again be on one conversation with another friend, and he is none other than Reetesh (Whom I call Tom, and he, YEAH YOU GUESSED IT, calls me Jerry), another Senior sub-editor. Yes, he deserves 4,5 lines of added introduction. He was with me in Group B at IIMC, he used to sit next to Mihir (another batch-mate) or next to me on the same back bench. And, he would sleep as he doesn't sleep at night like most of us. We give this silly reason, that we don't feel like sleeping, but something else is the reason--we are 'emotional fools' who get to interact with 'practical fools' throughout the whole day, and we keep thinking which one is better--to be an emotional fool or a practical fool.

Having said that, somehow, we went to the IIMC days and the life--the classes, guest faculties, batch-mates (each of these can be one post each). We were discussing the very essence of life--what one should do? Should one just go to work and work till it ticks 8,9 or whatever, or till the boss punches himself/herself out, and you are done for the day. Or, is it like really something substantial that we are doing. In between the conversation--he said something like--those can be called practical fools, who keep running after something without the knowledge that if they can achieve it at all or can't achieve it--or they don't know simply what they are chasing for. But, meanwhile, they put aside those precious diamonds in search of mere stones. Who just keep running for that destination, and who think that is the ultimate. But they don't stop by to consider if they have already got something valuable during the journey which is worth it.

He was on and I was listening probably because that was going to be the 2nd post. May be...Just recall--it might have happened with you also at times--when people say, "Don't act like a fool. Be PRACTICAL". Then you would think, "Yes, I should think practically about the feasibility of a particular thing." But very few people would advise you to chase your dreams or, in other words, follow an emotional fool's route.

This is not a post that demeans human sentiments but it is just an observation of it rather.

So, by now, you must have been sure, which one (fools) you are! Yes, you guessed it right. After all, we all act quite smart, but in reality, we are fools of some order or the another.

As the saying goes--"We are all fools in training!"

PS: Here, before posting it, I wanted to cut something, but I can't as this has to go unedited. Thus, please forgive me.

A beginning that was so longed for

And it started like this...I kept on thinking and thinking for 4 years in a row including today evening. They (friends, colleagues, and most important, the soulmates) kept on saying--come on, start it--you can do it. Everyone does that at night (when they get the time). "It's so needed for you," their belief. OK...It's decided. They have to be written now...Yes, i'm talking about those random thoughts that are swimming from here to there since I don't know when, and desperately want to reach at the harbour. Now, enough of introduction. As the title suggests, I don't want to follow that structured format, and the style sheet this time when I want just to say what I want to (but Commas, i'll put in place, which is a tribute to those editors who have taught me the hard way).

Again...cut it short. Like every other day, there was this call from a friend (will describe him later), and we went on talking about the sea, the sky, the sun, the rain and of course, office, presentations, COMMAS (from my side of the office), and slogging if it is worth it, and the list doesn't end here.

Again, cut it short...I can't, as I'm still searching for the first idea to write on!!!but this time, there's no deadline, no page has to be released. Yes, we write under pressure like they play cricket.

Coming back to the conversation that spanned through movies, music, and food--somewhere we had reached the point where we had started talking about when am I finally going to start jotting down those dots, and joining them to make that visible straight line, which will only happen once I just key in the words. I can't say how excited I was suddenly when I just thought about the thought of me going 'unedited'. Yes, none is going to touch the words now.

He just did not remind, persuade, or what not, to start it today (he said by mistake and corrected it to tonight the very next moment). He also said he would want to read the first one as soon as it is ready!

"Inside a sea of thoughts... but there is no drop available to put a full stop to it and that's life," something he said, and the gist of that can be summed up like this. These were the words that made the inroads to the beginning.

Hey there you all...please start what you want to do, it feels awesome. And for Arunav (who resembles me in a lot of things, and we are not twins), I wish you will also start putting your thoughts now. I started reading with your short stories, if you remember (that startling one on the BSNL tele-operator and the kid), couple of years back. If my first blog will get that urge in you to start writing, I'll be the happiest!!!

To the friend, who is also a Leo, it's just not a 'thank you' from my side, but my gratitude for a lifetime. To your question, "There is no need to put a full stop. You can assemble those drops and make another sea (of thoughts)."