Friday, September 22, 2017

ROAD LESS TRAVELLED !!



A day when you come across divergence of paths…
One treaded by many…and other seldom trespassed.
It starts when you take the later…!
That’s where you make a difference…

Many know to laugh and many may call you a misnomer
Many know to criticize and many to call you back…
Everybody claims to be wise and everybody has a better claim…
But not everybody has the zeal… the nerve to take the road traveled less…!!

Green pastures and lovely woods…
Who wouldn’t want a road like that!!!

But wise men once said…
Legends don’t just follow the trail…they leave one…

Its not about gaining followers or following some…

Its about believing and being believed !!

Its about being bold and making a way out of usual mold !!

Its about Never backing down …

Its about Growing together… building together… serving together

Its about being true to your spirit and word !

Mother-hood statements – some sages may so call…!

Being unaffected … he still stands… strong enough… wise enough..

So much a leader and worthy of trust,
Here stands a man who will do what he must !!!
Here stands a man who will do what he must !!!

- Its SR...
Sep 22, 2017

Wednesday, August 16, 2017

What is Patriotism??!




Born are we to the same ‘Mother’
Yet so different…

We share the same boundaries
But only they face wrath of wars on the Borders.
We fight for our rights
But only they fulfill citizens duties.
Without a quid pro quo… They protect us!

Is there a need…?
I ask you all… Why should they sacrifice?
When…
We are killing our own brothers and raping our own sisters!
I ask you all… why should they protect us from an outlander!!?
When… We stab our own men over caste, colour or religion…
I ask you all...
Why should they stand strong, as our shield, facing the rough winds…!??
While we plot and plan for our own greed, the Bigotry and treason...
under the name of one GOD or Other.
Even the God Himself laughs at us all…!

Our Soil has begun to infertile…
Because of our own evil…
And they lay their own life…protecting such civil…!?

Born are we to the same ‘Mother’
Yet so different.

This leaves me with just a question for all…
What is Patriotism? What is Patriotism!!?


-itsSR


Aug 15, 2017

Saturday, July 1, 2017

Kitaab ke kuch panne...

Kitab ke kuch panne
Itne khaas honge...
Kabhi socha na tha!

Kuch faate se..
Kuch maile se..
Par fir bhi  jo dil ko chuule
Kuch itne khaas honge
Kabhi socha na tha..!


Unn panno pe
teri yaadein samete hue...
Chookar unhe aisa lage jaise
tumhe chu liya ho!

Sukhi seehai.. Fika rang... Purane panne..
Par lage jaise baas kal ki hi baat ho!


Ungliya sirhate sirhate..
Ekdum se lage..
Unn Aksharon main jaise jaan si aa gayi ho..!!
Woh hassi ke pal... Woh hassin sapne...
Lipte hue hai jaise!

Woh shararte... woh ruthna..fir manana
Nami aankhaein hokar bhi ... Labpon pe hassi de jate hai..!


Unn kagazon pe...
Shabd nahi.. 
Yaadein kaid hai...!
Alfaz nahi..
Jazzbat kaid hai..!
Pura jahan to nahi...
Par jo mera pura jahan hai..
Uske liye meri mohabbat kaid hai..!!


Ye kitaab nahi..
Mera guzra kal hai..!


Ye kitaab nahi..
Mere zakhmon ka marham hai..!


Ye kitab nahi..
Mere liye..Tumhara saaya hai..!


Ye kitab nahi..
Mere liye aab baas jine ka sahara hai..!


Isi liye shayad..
itna khaas hai..
Ye itna khaas hai..!


-its SR
30/06/2017

Saturday, April 22, 2017

MSOP... A life re-lived !


 “Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school”
-Albert Einstein

I kinda remember the clichéd dialogue of Chak De India said by King Khan, as it goes (modified to suit my topic)

pandhra din hai humare paas…shayad humare zindagi ke khaas padhra din…hum hare ya jite, ye zindagi ke 15 din zindagi bhar yaad rahenge…kaise khelna/sikhna hai ye koi nahi batayega…par itna jarur kahunga ki Aao yaaro ji bhar ke ye pandhra din khel/sikh lete hai…kyunki aage jakar koi ye yaad nahi rakhega ki tum hare ya jite…kitna sikhe..

Jo bhi ho par ye pandhra din tumse koi nahi chheen sakta…”

Whoooh…! And this was the exact spirit I came across when I was undergoing my MSOP training!!!

The first day started with me reaching 15 minutes early than the scheduled time as mentioned in e-mail and I was so happy.
Until somebody with a stern voice said “Don’t you know you have to reach here on time…now we can’t allow you in. You all were supposed to be here before 10 am.” Happiness is short lived as someone has rightly said… hehe.

Thoda dramatic karne ka toh…
Mere pairo ke niche se jameen khisak gayi thi… aur mera professionalism rom rom main jag utha… and I argued “Mam hum koi choote school ke bacche thodi hai…aur waise bhi time mentioned in mail is 10:30 am.” 
I have a smile on my face when I remember this incidence but that was necessary to share.

Lesson learnt: Misunderstanding should be dealt with correct approach even when u think u r not at fault. Matter should be conveyed with utmost respect and that’s the first step to be a respected professional.
I hereby take an opportunity to extend my heartfelt apologies to Ms. Kavita Mam.

As I enter in the classroom a girl with her sweet voice, low pitch but audible enough enquired about the incidence and consoled me as I was a bit upset as i missed the inauguration ceremony.
I took 5-10 minutes to understand her name..and hhaaa! finally I get that her name was ‘Ami’. Hehe.. She introduced me to rest of the few professionals present there to attend MSOP training.

Lesson learnt: Keep your egos aside. Go and start making conversations and this will make u feel a part of the batch.

On first day we all think if those 15 days are going to be torture or we all will gell up well and have fun but the problem we people is we think a lot and act less. However this was proved wrong by one of the student present, Nimesh, thanks a lot for your effort. J He took the efforts and sweet pains to create a Whatsaap group and keep the entire batch alive!

Lesson learnt: Team needs to be given recognition and involvement of all is necessary.

“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I Learn”
-Benjamin Franklin

“We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools”
-Martin Luther King, Jr.
These adages come to my mind as I recite the incidence to you all.


Our batch of 32 was divided into 4 groups on the very first day consisting of 7-8 members each. This was may be the well thought process by Thane Chapter or ICSI so that members taking admissions in group don’t create a cartel or a lobby! Well in simple terms sabko sabke saath mix karo. A comfort level needs to be built up within the members coming from different backgrounds and this can be achieved only if two strangers are bought in one team. Initially we all start making stories about others just by looking at their appearances and few traits that we notice in the beginning, the ‘First impression’ as they say, later to realize that we had been so wrong about perceiving them from our glasses.

Lesson: We must learn to get out of our comfort zone.

We had to give our introduction after the groups were formed to the entire batch and we were also asked to answer “What is the weirdest thing we would like to do in our life…?”

Manjinder Singh (aka PAAJI), our batch mate, revealed the fact that marriage is the weirdest thing that happened to him…by force or choice…is best known to him. J HAHA!!

Trust me it was so funny to hear what others say but more important thing was to learn that we all have some desires, some out of the box thing to do, some dreams not related to career, some wild things that we wish to do but we are or have restricted from doing them? Profession does not say or bind you to do only those things that are related to your profession.

Lesson: Profession is a part of life and not vice a versa.

This reminds me of a quote:
“Hold the hand of the child that lives in your soul…for this child nothing is impossible.”
-Paulo Coelho

During the introduction session we came to know that there is also a member who has completed his Grads, Post Grads and CS at the age of 21 only!
I was in P.K state of mind that time, “Ee chora konhu gola se aaya hai konu khabar”.
Durgesh Soni, boss kudos to your achievements and spirit. Respect.
I dunno wanna share stories about his 4-5 girlfriends…! Thats heart wrenching!
Bhai kum bol diya hoga toh maafi chata hun. Hehe  J
Females out there I would just put a small disclaimer, Hes getting married, hes already unofficially engaged.. hehe J (Kitna sukun milta hai aisa bolte huve..!)

Lesson learnt: It’s not the age that matters…but the determination.

Well these were the few inspirations that I have put down which I experienced on the very first day. Now just imagine how much you could learn in those 15 days!! Those 15 days were an enthralling and the best learning experience I may have experienced in my life.
The first day itself we almost knew each other well enough to start with any conversation that hit our brains. I feel lucky to be in the 6th MSOP batch of Thane Chapter as I made friends not only from Mumbai or suburbs but also from Goa, Ahmednagar, Kerala, Assam, Pune, Kolhapur, Jalgaon and Amritsar…! This is what makes INDIA standout from rest of the nation, Unity in Diversity and so does that make our BATCH a standout too.

We had loads of fun in the following days. To put technically - those days were the ‘norming’ days. We got to know each other well. Those outings helped our bond grow strong. The stories we formed about each other during day one were now getting the reality touch, many were perceived wrong. After a day or two we all were less of only professionals but also more as family.
So, don’t make the first impression the last if you want to make friends.

With the fun comes responsibility of our friends. This was something that was well portrayed and put in practice by Hardik Shah, another friend and a batch mate. He used to personally ensure that the girls who used to hangout with us reach their destination safely and in time. Though that seems to be a small task it shows that society has to take efforts to be morally responsible towards girls too. Saying that I don’t mean that he never cared for boys in the group…hehe J. He was equally concerned for them too (had to put this- haha!). Thanks Hardik for making me understand this. I am sharing this act of his because we all care for friends whom we know since long but knowing someone only for a few days and still caring for them in the same manner is something we should learn.

We played a lot of games during our outings. Dare and truth, Badminton, table tennis, basket ball, cycling and before I forget, we may have clicked more than thousands pictures collectively. Mock Board Meetings and EGMs toh kar li…par hamne toh MOCK PROPOSING ki bhi practice kar li !!
Now guys..that was fun!! Nimesh..i am sure you remember our proposal to beautiful and pretty- Sheetal… the lucky girl to have two charming and handsome boys proposing her (thodi khudki bhi lal karte hai). It was more like mimicking Bikram and Bala proposing Priyanaka chopra in ‘Gundey’. While typing this thrs a background music that runs thru my head.. “tune mari entriyaan..dil main baji ghantiyan.. :P J” It was all so awesome!

One more notable thing was even the married men were pulled down to their college days. It was real fun and it was adorable to see those matured men put down the curtains of maturity and mingle with everyone of us. Paaji and Prashant and even Neha, the trios who were the only married of the entire lot of 32, adapted themselves to the batch of amatures like us..hehe!
Prashant ji aap ko maan gaye sir! The day one I saw you and the last day when I bid good bye to you (temporary wala J) the transition that you have made is remarkable. The stammering that happened when u spoke on day one wasn’t even noticed when you gave the presentation on second last day. Hats off to this dedication to learning! That’s really inspirational. Your team too, sure has done a great job here. Also thanks for the wonderful gifts that you distributed to everyone and also for managing the procurement and visiting shops for getting those gifts and token for thane chapter.

I was not much keen on carrying lunch box to the chapter on the first day and I did not. There were many who dint carry either. We all, say a dozen of us, actually raided a hotel nereby. That was one different kinda experience. But spending approximately Rs.130 per head daily for 15 days was something I felt can be avoided. What then?
The very next day I started carrying my lunch box and made a point that I carry a bit more to serve an additional person. The second day we all were sitting in all criss-cross rows and columns and sharing our ‘dabbas’ with each other. There were a few who resorted to outside food but it remained confined only till that day. 3rd day almost all of us were sharing each others dabbas. Now that’s the spirit! The fun we had during the lunch break time was a life time experience. It just reminded me of old school days. Few of us were literally roaming around to hunt down our meal ie.somebody elses dabba..and we grabbed and ripped and tore till we satisfied our stomachs. Well..dont take it literally..hehe. J
The pav bhajis.. farsans.. parathas.. dosas.. idlis.. pannermutter.. chicken.. omletes.. bhurjis.. dhoklas..u name it and we have it! Its not hard to guess how our second half was! 
Kumbhakaran bhi humare pass aya tha - aankhein khule rakhkar sone ki classes lene!

There was lot of flirting going around too but all in a good spirit. Parul, a friend and batch mate was the victim of many or rather she enjoyed being such a famous victim..hehe J.
Namratta, the queen of sad jokes hardly cracked any jokes coz she didn’t used to get time from laughing..!! Durgesh was ‘the knight in a smiling armour’ for her. The moment he opened his mouth she would start laughing!!“Rab ne bana di (temporary) Jodi..”.
It was strange but true that in short span also people can instantly connect to each other. Sneha another friend and a batch mate, Kolhapuri as we used to call her, was another loved victim. One of our faculty also told her that she looks more beautiful without spectacles and that blush on her face!! Haai..aaj bhi yaad hai hume. J
Aarti, wel she was one differently-abled (don’t take the word literally!! haha) person. She was about to get married ( may have got married till the time I publish this write up) and her weirdest dream was to ride a horse or rather sit on a horse in her ‘shadi ka joda’ in front of her in laws. Now that’s freaky!!…not for her but for the bechara horse, her husband, in laws and the other viewers!! Hehe J She’s also a great orator and this was evident during the presentations we were asked to deliver.

Lesson Learnt: Where there is a will there is a way (sach main aisa hua kya… let us kno!)

Another beautiful, sassy and a classy gurl, Ketki- You should see her speak or orate and your jaws may drop unless you are in the same league. It seemed she was absolutely well rehearsed (even if actually she wouldn’t have!) and the deliveries with perfect voice modulation and confidence! Not quite sure if she interacted much but she’s well remembered. Yea! Our plans of hanging around have remained plans forever I guess! Haha!

Hari Bhai, saalee teri dard bhari kahani ni hum sabko emotional kar diya tha! Taab mujhe saamajh aya that Bidi, chaini, cigarette, guuthka ye saab se jyada dangerous to ladkiyan hoti hai ! Pyar kambakhat, wahin apne jine ka sahara bhi hoti hai..! (Saab nahi.. kuch kuch!)

Life is a series of experiences, each one of which makes us bigger, even though sometimes its hard to realize this. For the world was built to develop character, and we must learn that the setbacks and grievances which we endure help us in marching onward.
-Henry Ford

You don’t learn to walk by following rules. You learn by doing, and falling over”
-Richard Branson

Lesson learnt: anything in excess is dangerous – Ladki ho ya gutkha!! hehe :P

Jigar, jay – can we term them as sober-est (if there is any such word) of boys in our batch!! Sharing and caring toh inse sikhna chaiye..! Dosti ke kuch pal, kuch yaadein, kuch lamhe tumhare naam yaaron!

I can go on and on.. I am sure I may have missed a lot others who have been as close to me as others mentioned above (you guys can comment on this memoir wala write up to add more). Just want to say that I - felt, cherished and enjoyed the felling of ‘oneness’ that we carried all throughout those days of training and astounded I write today that we still after almost 3 years stand the same!!

Really glad to have met all of you and thanks to you all for considering me a part of you!
(Lesson learnt: ‘apart’ and ‘a part’ – a space can make a hell lot of difference)

Stay in touch!! Hasta la vista!


Signing off- Its SR…

Saturday, March 4, 2017

Umeed...!!

Umeed...

Kyun na hum kare!


Jaab teri ankhon main hai sapne
Irade hai agar pakke,
Aage badha chal tu...
aage badha chal


Na koi rukavate...na koi mushkile
Rokh paye kadam tere..!
Is jahan ko pana hai..
Aisi ummed..
Kara chal !!


Aage badha chal tu...
aage badha chal


Aasman chuna hai tumhe
Apni mehnat se-  si le pankh...
Dhup aur chaav se hi zindagi hai...
Kuchon ke dhup le le tu
Kuchon ko chav deta chal..


Aage badha chal tu...
aage badha chal !!


Rukna nahi.. Zhukna nahi..
Kartvya se kabhi mukna nahi..!
Dhairya aur neeshtha bhare ho tere karam..!
Apno ko saath liye
Unke ashirwad liye...


Aage badha chal tu...
aage badha chal


Na koi rukavate...na koi mushkile
Rokh paye kadam tere..!
Is jahan ko pana hai..
Aisi ummed..
Kara chal !!


Aage badha chal tu...
aage badha chal.


-its SR...
26/02/2017