Calm Waters

Calm waters,
Stormy skies;
Can there be
A bigger lie?

With the human world
Such is the case,
Where of humanity,
There is scarcely a trace.

A flutter of the breeze
To raging winds turns,
Bringing with it emotions,
Acts and thoughts that burn.

People are transient,
Never here to stay long;
Remember that always;
It’ll help you remain strong.

The sea brings calm,
It makes me forget men;
But there is always someone
To ruin this perfect zen.

A cackling group of girls,
A noisy lot of aunties;
Fat, well-fed businessmen,
Jogging, ogling at women who catch their fancy.

Thoughts abound,
The spirit soars;
As I find myself,
By the shore.

Oh, and how can I forget;
As I think about my wishes,
The self-same aunties,
Sit next to me and discuss dishes!

I try to tune out,
Gazing up at the sky;
Where the moon and a lone planet,
Near the horizon lie.

From where I sit,
The moon seems to throw
Its light on the sea,
Which is aglow.

No romantic ever could resist,
Such a view,
Which is enough to turn
Even a cynic into a lover anew.

The moon has replaced the sun,
And I’ve had my fun;
I’ve even managed to ignore the ladies,
And their talk of curry and patties!

As I leave for
A more mundane destination,
In my head,
I carry only one question:

Calm waters,
Stormy skies;
Can there be
A bigger lie?

THE CHANGE

The inhibitions I had long ago,
Are now all gone;
So is the fear I had then,
Which you thought was just a stubborn pledge I’d sworn.

I no longer shy away,
I am not scared at all,
I do as I please now,
I make my own call.

The thing that separated us then,
Would today be no barrier;
We could’ve been together,
And no soul could’ve been that us merrier.

I was young then,
I needed a guiding hand;
But in you all I found,
Was a sullen man.

The patience which you didn’t show then,
Could’ve paid off today;
We could’ve been happy and gay,
We would’ve done okay.

But I guess that’s water under the bridge now,
Those days won’t return;
I’ve moved on and,
A few lessons I have learned.

You are happy, so am I,
If I ever think of you,
My consolation is that,
Sometimes, so do you.

What it takes to piss someone off

For the longest time, I've been a crusader for the political, judicial, social and defence systems of India. Whenever somebody has called the police 'rishvatkhor', I have pointed out the likes of Hemant Karkare, the ex-ATS chief who died in the line of duty, and others. I am even okay with corrupt politicians, so long as they are doing good work – work that they are meant to do. What is the government doing about the city's infrastructure? I point to the various skywalks which people conveniently forget to use; the bridges that, while they were being built, earned several brickbats for the Shiv Sena (who propagated and pushed for their construction), but which today are a boon for the city.

So when someone who has always backed the country's lawmakers and keepers gets pissed at them, it has to really be the result of absolute frustration – frustration that comes at the end of a feeling of helplessness. Yes, I am pissed off. At the fact that a little girl gets asked to get off the local bus for not having change. At the fact that there is no place to walk on the city's streets. At the fact that people do not follow traffic rules. At the fact that roads are constantly under construction and nothing ever seems to get built. I am complaining for the first time in the 22 years of my existence on Earth. I would like, as a non-complaining individual, to have my issues redressed, by people who genuinely give a damn about the country; enough to drag it back from the hell that it is fast hurtling towards.

The common man complains only when something directly affects him – the same is the case with me. I tried to put up with it – but for how long? I'm not an unreasonable person, one who would knock on the President's door because someone ran a red light. But when every day I have to wait indefinitely to cross the main road because the light at the Saifee Ambulance junction of E. R. Road doesn't mean squat and people have to take a chance and cross on a whim, yes, it pisses me off. I get scared to say ‘no’ to run an errand for my mother. Why? Because if she has to do it herself, she will have to go through that same shit to get to the other side of the road to finish it. But she’s arthritic and can't do the ridiculous dance expected of her to get across a street where there are black and white stripes on the road (as if mocking everyone) and a traffic light just above her head as she waits to cross. At such times, yes, I do get pissed off.

So here’s the deal. What is going to be done about it? Probably nothing. What am I doing about it besides venting my frustration through words? Nothing. But maybe I can appeal to pedestrains to follow signals. Maybe then the vehicle drivers will be shamed into stopping when the light turns red. Maybe I will send this letter to a newspaper’s editor. Maybe I will do something about it. What are you going to do?

AIRBORNE

I was born out of the air,
Meant to live free.
So don't come around now,
Telling me it's not to be.

You don't know me at all,
Know nothing about who I am.
You don't even know from whence I come,
What is my next plan.

Into the future no one can see,
But one can certainly hope;
Hope to make a difference,
No matter on how small a scope.

I learn from my mistakes,
Making amends as I go,
Don't put me on a pedestal,
I'm not a piece to show.

Every little dream of mine
I preciously hold to my heart.
I will do whatever it takes,
To give myself a start.

I'm on my way to glory,
Over the years I've grown;
It won't be too long now,
Before I'm airborne.

From Bombay Meri Jaan to Mumbai Le Le Jaan

Outrage. Anger. Frustration. Bloodlust. These are just some of the emotions coursing through the veins of every Mumbaikar, or at least every Mumbaikar with a conscience at this point in time. The trigger – the Keenan Santos and Reuben Fernandez incident at Amboli.

For those who are unaware — and I don’t know how that possibly might be true — these two young men were stabbed to death for facing up to hooligans who sexually harassed a girl. The question in everyone’s mind is – how could this possibly happen?

The answer is simple – when people around are so dead within their souls, so mindfuckingly numb to everything but that which concerns them directly, then yes, this is possible. And in this incident one might say that the goons were many in number and were armed, which is why nobody tried to help the two bravehearts. Fine. Answer this, then. A colleague at work told me about this incident which drove the final nail in the coffin of Mumbai’s ‘safe’ status, for me. A few days ago, in a BEST bus (and everyone knows how crowded they can be), a man tried to act fresh with a girl. I don’t know details, but, in response, the girl turned around and slapped him. The bastard slapped the girl so hard, that she flew against the railing behind the driver. If this were not enough, the motherfucker tore apart the girl’s shirt and when she slapped him again, he kept molesting her again and again. And how could this POSSIBLY occur in a local bus full of so-called human beings who are fucking-excuses-for-what-call-themselves MEN? Same reason as the Santos/Fernandez incident could take place. And this was even more shameful, considering it was just ONE son-of-a-fucker who was completely unarmed. So yes, maybe the people on the bus were scared and worried about being safe because they had to think of their families. Well, all the men who were on that bus that day, and I hope at least SOME of you see this, I hope you picture your sisters/mothers/wives/girlfriends/grandmothers in place of that girl the next time you think about the episode. THAT is my curse to you. Now let me know if you can sleep peacefully at night. It seems the girl hurled abuses at the ‘men’ before getting off the bus. She called them eunuchs. I wouldn’t have. Because they were not even human, much less eunuchs. I believe eunuchs would stand up against such injustice. And what were the women doing? My friend (and I was disappointed in her for this) was crying. But why couldn’t a couple of women stand up and beat the fuckhead up? All it would take would be two or maybe three women. What happened to their souls? Are they so dead from all the molesting that they go through that it’s become routine? And so this seemed like nothing out of the blue?

All of these mindnumbing incidents have finally convinced me of something which I had known to be true for a while now, but was trying to forget. Others told me that was not the case, and I tried to believe them. But the fact can no longer be ignored – the city is changing. There’s something evil brewing within it, waiting to spread. And the people — the kind who commit such heinous crimes, as well as the kind who stand by and watch while it happens — are the hosts to this parasite. What they don’t realise is that this parasite is going to infect their lives so badly (and I hope to god that it does), that they will beg to die and not be granted that relief.

So yes, there was a time when I, at age 12, could return home all alone from a class at midnight with not a care in the world. Today, a decade later at 22, I am a bit apprehensive about travelling alone beyond 10/11pm. These incidents condition women to feel lucky if they return safe at night, rather than feel that it’s their right to be safe in this city that is the Mayanagari. The Mayanagari is changing. The sinister underbelly is boiling. And when nobody gives a fucking rat’s ass about it, the temperature only goes up and, those fuckers out on the streets only get bolder.

The Bombay city of dreams is no more. What has been left behind in its place is a dirty, filthy Mumbai that everyone believes is their oyster, that they can do as they choose with it, because clearly, nobody is going to touch them, no matter what their crime. The CM says the goons who harassed the girl and stabbed Keenan and Reuben should be hanged. Well, I will believe it when I see it. Until then, this city will be alien to me, a city that has gone from being the love of our lives, to the city that wants to snatch our lives.

For anyone who can still claim to have a soul, please, do sign up for this petition: SIGN A PETITION FOR ZERO TOLERANCE Petition | GoPetition

Life's Like That

Life is the cherry,

Upon the Universe’s cake.

You can be merry,

Or put everything at stake.

You could take life as it comes,

Or just let go,

For it will take its own course,

Like a Broadway show.

Put it in hibernate mode

And hit the snooze button;

Before you know it,

Your troubles will be forgotten.

But worry incessantly

And nothing will be got,

Except a massive headache

And you’ll have your happiness shot.

Treat it like a princess,

But remember there’s a catch;

The princess is a Damsel in Distress

To whom you have to prove your match.

So don’t worry my friend,

Whatever will be, will be.

Ke sera or not,

Can any alternative you see?

Most likely you won’t

And in that is a lesson, a fact;

Don’t worry too much,

‘Cause life’s just like that!

Contradictions!

So they say 'Make hay while the sun shines'. But they also say 'Think before you leap'. Okay, so it isn't the best analogy to serve as point and counterpoint. But here's the thing: us humans are a confused lot. Why? Here's why.

How many movies must we have watched wherein the guy falls in love with a girl thinking she's the 'one', but who eventually turns out to be all wrong for him? Who's the right girl for him? His not-so-glamorous best friend, of course. He realises his mistake, and guy and best friend live happily ever after. Now consider this scenario (Note - this scenario is more likely in TV shows): Guy falls in love with girl. Guy asks girl out. Girl says yes, but then things don't work out. OR, girl says no for one of various reasons (career/family/personal morals, etc. etc.) So guy, after moping around for a while, gets over it, and finally finds someone else, someone he's 'truly' happy with. Until he finds out that the 'first' love is real, the current one is, much though he would like to deny it, a sort of consolation. So back he goes to the first love, and now they live happily ever after.

So my question is this: Which of the scenarios does one believe? Or are we just supposed to decide that based on who the 'hero' and 'heroine' of the movie/serial are, and accordingly be happy for the end, whichever way it may go?

This is what I wrote in my SOP: George Eliot asks in Adam Bede, “How is it that the poets have said so many fine things about our first love, so few about our later love?” If she were alive today, I’d have liked to propose a plausible answer to her. Poets talk only about the first love because it is the most intense, the most uncorrupt, the most sacred and the most powerful love. If a person is lucky, that love will stay with them for the rest of their lives. If not, they will learn to love again. But never will they forget that first love.

But how about when Ryan Erikson (no idea who he is, but makes a lot of sense!) says: "The road to finding 'the one' is paved with a bit of promiscuity."

Having said that, though, I come back to the same point I made earlier. Which is correct? Which do you believe?

Confusing, us humans are!

All that is wrong

There are days when you manage to forget everything. All your worries, all your pain. One almost succeeds in convincing oneself that all is well with the world.

But then something happens. Something that reminds us that all isn't really well. It could be a look from a neighbour, a word from a colleague, the silence of a friend, the elusiveness of a best mate - that's all it takes to remind us of all that is wrong in their world; that's all it take to remind of all that is wrong in ours.

Yes, so hang me, it's in defense of Sachin!

A friend suggested I read this post, not without good prior warning. The warning: not something you will like, but check it. So check it, I did. What was the post about? It was pretty much a question mark about Sachin Tendulkar's greatness. Yes, the author does say, "This isn't a criticism. Though it probably should be. This is more like a plea," but the question that he raises remains the same. Why did Sachin fail us at Lord's?

Now, yes, I am a self-confessed psycho Tendulkar fan who doesn't understand how or even why anybody can have anything against this man. But that aside, I can read a negative post about him (after much hemming and hawing) if it is constructively written. This one, though, I believe isn't constructive at all. It mentions that Sachin has the ability to block out everything else and concentrate on his game. A commendable quality indeed, the author agrees. But, he argues, Sachin should have taken the energy at Lord's and allowed himself to be driven by that energy to play better than he did. So does that mean, in effect, that the author wants the God to give up his perfection to garner the energy at Lord’s? Give in this once, to achieve what the author might think is a more desirable result, just to give in every time? And had he done so, who’s to guarantee it would have helped?

Yes, Lara won the Windies that game against Australia, but hasn’t Tendulkar not stuck around irrespective of his personal health to provide support to a side? One may argue about the validity of this claim, but I am certain if asked, a lot of the Indian players will agree that having Tendulkar stand opposite them provides a sense of reassurance unlike any other. Is that any less of an achievement that Lara’s? Lara won them that one match. Again, I do not mean to detract from Lara's achievements. He's one of my favourites too. But Tendulkar won us countless by just ‘being there’. Just let it be known that the man got a century in the first innings at Lord's while suffering from a fever, and I rest my case.

Again, I have nothing (other than complete dumbfoundedness, if it’s a word) against those who are opposed to Sachin. And this author seems not to be one of those men. Pray why, then, this post? You are looking for one Tendulkar moment of glory at Lord’s, I just look forward to the moment when it comes, no matter where.

Mumbai Blasts

Having recently returned from a holiday, I thought my next post would be about the experiences I had there. But that will have to wait. Another thing must take precedence over it. A more important, but a far sadder event.

The Mumbai blasts which took place today, July 13, 2011 - at Opera House, Dadar and Zaveri Bazar - were a really sad welcome to the city. So far, over 20 lives have been lost and more than 100 people have been injured. Amid all this, there are rumours floating around about terrorist Ajmal Kasab - it is said it's his birthday today. Then they say it was a false alarm; then again they claim that it is his birthday according to the Urdu calendar. I have one question - Who the F cares when the man was born, when all we are praying for at this point is when he will die?!

It's at times like these that one really appreciates life. I was in Zaveri Bazaar just a week ago; a friend was there until 5 minutes before the blast happened! How is one supposed to know which place is safe anymore? Of course we can't know. So we're just supposed to say a little prayer and step out of the house, hoping we'll get back safely. WHY?

As Naseeruddin Shah says in A Wednesday, "We're not resilient by choice, we're resilient by force". Do we choose to be resilient now? But if we do, are we going to be forced to retaliate in a much worse way in the not-so-distant future?

Voices in my head

Voices in my head,

Are you all dead?

You’re supposed to warn me,

Not to do anything stupid.

Instead you desert me,

Just when I need it.

And then I do what I most fear,

Speak before I think, putting in danger all that I hold dear.

Before you know it,

The earth has from under me shifted;

Shifted so that I am buried,

Deep into an abyss towards which I had for long drifted.

But it’s your fault, oh voices,

For not warning me.

For not alerting me to the dangers that lurk beyond,

For not telling me anew,

How crazy things can get,

If I don’t listen to you.

Voices in my head,

You used to tell me all;

You used to remind me,

Of things great and small.

And yet now you are silent,

Silent as a lamb,

Leaving me to fight,

This battle damned.

Oh voices in my head,

It’s true I cursed you;

Asked you to go away,

But you took it literally, and silently faded away.

Into the night you’re gone,

But my pain hasn’t receded;

And all that could go wrong

Without you, has in coming true succeeded.

Voices in my head,

Now I’m paying for not listening to you,

But it is your fault,

For I loved, and you didn’t stop me too.

TIME MENDS

It starts with 'hi',

Moving on to a joke;

Before you know it,

You're a gone bloke.

The friendship deepens,

The ties grow strong,

You feel like you have

A shoulder to cry on.

And even though that's true,

You're misreading it my dear,

For of breaking their heart,

You should have no fear.

For they never loved you,

At least not in the way you thought,

And now you're just someone

With their nerves fraught.

But that doesn't really matter,

For you're still a friend,

And every other sorrow,

Time will mend.

Over You

Does it sound like the title of a song?

I don't care,

‘Coz I swear,

I have moved on.

It took a while,

That is certainly true,

But don't turn blue,

With you now I am through.

All the yearning,

The pain, the love songs,

Make me feel nothing,

‘Coz I have moved on.

You'd moved on a while ago,

You seemed to be happy too.

But it took a little longer still,

For me to not love you.

I was tired of not knowing

When I'd be free,

Of thinking incessantly

If you were missing me.

But of course you weren't;

You had started anew,

Leaving me with nothing

But memories few.

Well I guess it was worth it,

Knowing why it didn't work with you,

In the future I will make sure;

Now I know what to do.

You were intelligent and romantic,

You knew just what to say,

To make me forget my anger,

To make my resolve sway.

But you thought too much of yourself,

Blaming me and calling me names;

Never did you stop to think,

Was there any truth to your claims?

I loved you deeply,

More than you'll ever know,

And you thought my reluctance

Was my ego.

And so you had to look better,

Never could you be vulnerable,

And so you put an end

To this lovely fable.

If your pride can be hurt then,

Mine can be dented too,

And if you hadn't stopped me,

I would still have said no to you.

Three long years it has been,

Since that fateful day,

And how much I suffered since then,

I can't even begin to say.

Our paths separated long ago,

Though I kept looking back,

But I won't any more,

‘Coz I've taken a different track.

I took a turn;

An unknown bend,

But without you there,

My heart has had time to mend.

So here's wishing you a happy life,

One that is safe and long,

I can wish for all these things,

Because buddy, I've moved on.

Us

What happened

To the eight of Us?

Why are there

So few left to trust?

The first one went,

No one knew for sure why.

It seemed another one of us was the reason,

Though it was denied.

The second one left,

Greener pastures he’d found.

But did that mean he had to quit,

This friendship sound?

The third went too,

His pride being hurt,

Another one of Us was the cause,

This thought did in that person’s mind lurk.

The fourth had

News horizons to explore,

But he’s not really gone;

The hope is that he’ll stick around some more.

The fifth left too,

On a bad note,

Sad though it is,

One of us had yet again rocked the boat.

That leaves just three,

Who need to adjust;

Look beyond the friendships,

Which have turned to dust.

If so many have left

Because of each other,

It may seem like

They’re not meant to be together.

But that is untrue,

For if one leaves due to the other,

The remaining will

Still worry and bother.

But there’ll never be eight again,

And it’s certainly not just,

That now there are only three,

Instead of eight of Us.

Back Again

No, my English is not poor,
I mean what I say.
Someone I thought long gone
Is back, but is he here to stay?

The last time we parted,
There was a lot of sorrow.
And that is something
Which, I don’t want on the morrow.

So what is the problem you say,
Just walk away,
I wish it were that easy,
For a person not to sway.

He was here again today,
Being very nice,
But in his eyes I saw,
All the old lies.

So there, I’ve done it,
I have sent him back,
And if he ever comes back again,
I’ll not be a jack(ass)!!

Gone with the wind... Not quite!

Just when you think someone’s out of your life for good, why do they surface again? Is there an explanation to this? Is this supposed to be an indication from above regarding that person? Especially if you’ve ended relations with that person on a bad note, what then? Do you go back to being “friends” because of the “signs”, or do you think, “To hell with the signs, I’m never going to speak with him/her again?” And what about your mental state? Don’t you feel as if your head will explode from the innumerable questions running through it? The ifs, whys and wherefores? Well, mine sure is!

“We really cared about you”

“If you enter this world knowing you are loved and you leave this world knowing the same, then everything in between can be dealt with.” These words were spoken by the king of pop who is now gone, but who will continue to live on as a legend. The man with a glove on one hand, the man who invented the concept of music videos, the man whose dance moves “thrilled” millions, Michael Jackson, is no more.

Michael Joseph Jackson, or MJ, as he came to be popularly known, was born in Gary, Indiana, on August 29, 1958, the seventh of nine children. At 1.14pm on Thursday, June 25, 2009, MJ was brought to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) medical centre in a state of coma after having said to suffer a cardiac arrest. The emergency physicians there kept up efforts to save him for about an hour, but to no avail.

MJ had a troubled childhood, but that didn’t perturb him, and by the time he was six years old, he, along with four of his brothers – Jackie, Tito, Jermaine and Marlon, performed for the first time at a talent show, where they won the first prize. They formed a group called “The Jackson Five” (later known as “The Jackson 5”), of which MJ became the most popular.

MJ recorded his first solo album, Off The Wall, as an adult recording artist with Quincey Jones in 1979, but he became the man we know and love now in 1982, when he released “Thriller”, which was a smashing hit and topped the American Top 10 charts for 37 consecutive weeks. The next milestone in this man’s colourful life came in 1983, when he unveiled his signature “moonwalk” dance step while performing “Billie Jean” in a television special. The effect that move had, and continues to have on millions till date, is undoubted. Thereafter came the albums “Bad”, “Dangerous” and “HIStory”, though none of them received the kind of success that Thriller did.

MJ bought a 2,600 acre ranch worth $17 million in California in 1988, and named it “Neverland” after the name of the land of his fictitious idol, Peter Pan. MJ was accused of sexually abusing a 13-year-old boy in Neverland in 1993. This, as well as other charges of child abuse, further tainted the man’s already tarnished image, although he was, at the end of the trial, acquitted on all charges.

It was also around this time that news of his increasingly bizarre behaviour started pouring in. However, according to an editorial by journalist and author Indrajit Hazra in the Hindustan Times (HT), “Wacko Jacko never really took shape” in India. So, when news came that he would be performing in Mumbai, the excitement in the air was almost tangible. Finally, on November 1, 1996, Jackson, glittering in a spacesuit, thrilled all audiences – old, young, celebrities, non-celebrities and politicians – with his dazzling performance. Such was the performance, that the atmosphere at the Andheri Sports complex, where the concert was held, was electric. Singer, producer and former VJ, Luke Kenny, said in an editorial in HT, “He did a bit in a crane where the crane passed over the audience… I would like to believe that for a split second he kind of looked at me!” This was also the time when one of the most oft-quoted phrases came about – “He even used my toilet,” said Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray, whom Jackson paid a visit in order to use his loo.

Owing to the cost of maintaining Neverland and on account of a failing career, MJ’s financial condition was not too good. Post his death, it was heard that he was in fact being pressurised to undertake a 10-concert tour which was to be held in London starting later this July. That preparations for the concert were taking a toll on his health was one of the speculations that surrounded his sudden death. The concert, ironically, was named “This is it”.

As a child, MJ had had a troubled relationship with an abusive father, but he couldn’t find solace in relationships even as an adult. He married Lisa Marie, Elvis Presley’s only daughter in 1994, but they got divorced in 1996. He married Debbie Rowe in the same year and had two children by her, Prince Michael I and Paris Michael, before splitting with her in 1999. He is also survived by a third child, Prince Michael II, whose mother’s identity is unknown.

The negativity and controversies aside, the fact that the man was a sheer genius is evident in the fact that he won 13 Grammies throughout his career and over 750 million copies of his records were sold. His work and style have been an inspiration to countless, some of them being well-known faces in the Indian music and film industry. Shiamak Davar, choreographer and singer, said to HT, “Jacko will be remembered as a complete performer. Fans like me went crazy watching him perform.” Farah Khan, Bollywood choreographer and director, also told HT, “He is my guru. My dream was to choreograph a dance piece for him. It’ll never come true now.”

No sooner did the news of his demise start trickling in, than the cyber world became frenzied in its rush to know exactly what had happened to MJ. Search engines such as Google, social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook, and others like YouTube crashed due to the sheer number of people seeking information. However, while millions will miss the man’s music, some are also of the opinion that he was indeed a paedophile, as he was accused of being. Said Anand, aka Sandy, who studies at Hyderabad Central University, “He may be remembered as a great performer, but he will also be remembered as a paedophile.” Another person, Saurabh Mehta, said, “I have never been a great fan of his. In fact, I never understood his style of music.”
But while some will miss the man’s dance moves and others his eccentricities, the fact remains that be missed he will. So, in the end, all I “wanna” say is that we (a lot of us, in any case) really cared about you, MJ!

Timeless jewel

Disclaimer: With inputs from older brother!

From the richest to the poorest, oldest to youngest, everyone identifies with this miracle of Mumbai – the Queen’s Necklace. The Queen’s Necklace is nothing but Marine Drive, and is so called, because when looked at from a high altitude, especially at night, owing to all the sparkling lights of the city that never sleeps, the area around the sea, right from Nariman Point to Chowpatty, is lit up, thus giving the effect of a dazzling jewel.

The places which make up this fabulous jewel, are favourite hangouts for people of all ages and from all walks of life. All of them can be found here, enjoying themselves. Says Nasir Engineer, a student of Jai Hind college (students frequent Marine Drive due to its proximity to the college), “Every time lectures get cancelled, or we don’t feel like sitting for a particularly boring lecture, we come here. It’s so much fun!” There are many others who share his sentiment. Nupur Sariya, who works near Chowpatty, says, “During lunch breaks at work, I come here sometimes. I know it’s sunny, especially in the summers, but then I sit under the shade of a tree on the bench, and just sit back and relax. Alternately, I also go to Cafe Coffee Day on the opposite side of the road in the evenings at times with friends. Just being near the sea gives a sense of serenity and calmness.”

The people who love being close to the sea would anyway have enjoyed going to the sea face, but ever since the beautification project was undertaken – and completed – near Marine Drive, the area has become even more beautiful and inviting. An entire promenade has been created, complete with trees along the way. Another positive step taken towards making this jewel even more appealing, was the clearance of all the hawkers from the main beach at Chowpatty. While it’s true that Chowpatty would be incomplete without its pani puri and bhel puriwalas, they sure were a nuisance when they used to spread right across the beach. Also, the Chowpatty beach is now much cleaner than it used to be before, which is a definite plus.

And who can forget the ghoda gadiwalas! Magnificent chariot seats atop resplendent (or not so resplendent) horses, the breeze in your face while the horse’s hoofs go clippety clop; what more could you ask for? Lower rates for the rides, that’s one thing for sure! A ride from Nariman Point to Chowpatty would cost you anywhere between Rs. 250 – 350! Ask them why they charge so much, and the owners of the carriages – such as Masoud bhai tangewale – say that feeding the horse alone costs so much; like you alone are supposed to be paying for that!

Marine Drive was the very place which saw the man whom we all know as King Khan now, say to his friend, “I will be the king of this city one day.” And, well, the sea bears witness to the coming true of this declaration, and probably many more such beliefs, hopes and dreams, that we may know nothing of. The Queen’s Necklace has become immortal in Indian cinema; right from Ashok Kumar to Akshay Kumar, Sunil Dutt to Sanjay Dutt, and Chalti ka Naam Gadi to Lagey Raho Munnabhai!

However, apart from all the good things connected with the Queen’s Necklace, if one looks closer than the twinkling lights, the water of the Arabian Sea is not exactly crystal clear, but for that, nobody but the public is to blame. Mrs. Shirin Mehta, who lives in NCPA Apartments facing the sea at Nariman Point, says, “It’s great to be living here, but, sometimes, when I’m standing at the window, and see people throwing plastic bottles and whole bags of litter into the sea, I get very upset. Once or twice when I was out and saw this happening, I reprimanded the lady who was tossing things in the water, but she just gave me a nasty look and walked away.”

Mrs. Mehta’s complaints, however, are not the lawmakers’ only worries. Apart from this problem, the law also has to make sure to secure the coastal areas, so that another 26/11 does not take place in Mumbai. After the carnage at the Taj, the Oberoi and the Trident, among other places in South Mumbai, securing the coastal areas has become the need of the hour.

Apart from the pressing and serious matter of coastal security, there is also the matter of the area being a lovers’ point. In this day and age, where everyone has a fundamental right to freedom, this freedom is taken very literally by some. While the stand of certain political parties or the ‘moral brigade’ tends to be extreme on this issue, wherein couples indulge in PDA (Public Display of Affection), some people just carry it too far. Sunita, a young girl, who was enjoying some blissful moments with her boyfriend at Chowpatty, said, “As long as couples do not indulge in behaviour that is over the top and can be embarrassing to others around them, I don’t see any harm in couples sitting together. But this concept of the ‘moral police’ is ridiculous. How can you threaten people for holding hands?” asked a bewildered Sunita, and her partner couldn’t agree more.

Thus, the Queen’s Necklace epitomises the essence of Mumbai – where, irrespective of joys and sorrows, ups and downs, the poor man can enjoy himself while looking out at the sea, or the rich man while relaxing in a horse carriage; for after all, what is this, if not the Mumbai that draws people from around the world, the Mumbai that everyone loves, the Mumbai of our dreams.

The Mirror

You have so many hopes, so many aspirations. Yet, you live for those around you; for those you love. Not that you’re complaining, because you truly love them, and want to do something in return for all that they’ve done for you. But sometimes you just want to do something for yourself. Problem is, you don’t know what.

When it comes to others, you know what you can – or should – do for them; it’s simple. They want something – you give it to them. But that’s because they know what they want, you don’t. Even if it’s not possible for you to give them something, you try your darnedest, and when you still can’t, then you continue to feel bad about it.

As each day passes, you want something else, you covet something new. Yet, you don’t try to get it, because you’re too scared to try; you’ve already assumed you are going to fail. With others, you don’t feel like that; you don’t feel their failure. Therefore it is easier for you to give them what they want.

You like to see people that you love happy, but what makes you happy? This, what you’re doing now, or something else? Do you like to listen to music, or are you happier when you dance, or perhaps when you read? Or maybe when you write?

Why am I talking about you? Probably for the same reason as I’m afraid to admit that you are a mirror.

She was scared

She was scared to try out new things,
For she thought she would fail,
She never would have imagined,
That her ship, too, could set sail.

She had lived like a loner,
All her life,
Most of which had been,
Laden with personal strife.

She used to lie to people,
And say she was fine,
When, in reality,
She was always out of line.

She had friends whom she loved,
But she couldn’t tell them that,
And one fine day she found
Herself, alone on the field to bat.

She loved a man, too,
But she didn’t know it,
She thought he wasn’t worth it,
And so she didn’t show it.

Then he was gone,
And she knew it was for best,
But her cruel soul,
Wouldn’t let her rest.

She knows that he now has a life,
Which doesn’t include her,
And the thought hurts so much my friend,
That it makes me shudder.

“Today”, she thought to herself,
“I’ll let it all out,”
“I’ll make myself free somehow,”
As her heart thudded loud.

And she knew she wouldn’t sleep that night,
Not with her heart brimming,
But the ways of the heart are strange for sure,
And soon, she was dreaming!