What's your Passion!

The more we have choices the more we get confused.

Take out a moment, close your eye and ask yourself....#whatsurpassion

'Condition serious hai' - Case 1

Before the bell rang, entire class was packed with students and all had their copies and pens ready. Most were revising the content taught in the last class. 'The Teacher' walked in, right in time.

Students wished him.

'The Teacher' didn't reply.

Rohit was late, again. He stood outside the door and held his breadth. He knew he had to attend the lecture. His attendance was short. He looked at the students. Everyone inside had a mischievous smile on their face. He gathered all his courage and asked, "Ex..excuse me Sir, I..am really sorry but can I come in? Pl...Please!"

Most of the time, the reply he received was, "No." Of course, this teacher has caused his attendance shortage problem. He just prayed that he allows him today.

'The Teacher' didn't reply.

Rohit took advantage of the opportunity and entered the room with his widened eye and breadth held for that moment. It looked like he had to cross a river through a crocodile to reach to his seat. He just sat somehow.

'The Teacher' didn't speak, even a word till now.

It was quiet unusual. He looked at the class through his glass and turned. He started writing something on the black board.

Pranjal was sitting next to Rohit and he whispered in her ears, "Condition serious hai!" Pranjal giggled and shrugged him to stop talking. 

'The Teacher' was writing some numbers and some other percentage against those numbers. Entire class was clueless about what was going on. But they all were enjoying those moments. Full conversation was going on in sign language and through eye contacts. Suddenly, everyone froze.

Of course, 'The Teacher' turned and he finally broke his silence, "Do you see these? They are my semester-wise marks." All eyes widened. There was a "Oh.." sound in the air. The board read:

1 - 94%                  5 - 94%

2 - 87%                  6 - 96%

3 - 95%                  7 - 95%

4 - 95%                  8 - 94%

'The Teacher' continued, "I have been a student of this caliber. In second semester I had some family emergency due to which I had to take a month's break. So, my marks dropped down. I asked my professor whether I can repeat that semester?"

The air got more puzzled. Everyone was wondering, "What's wrong with him? Why is he telling us his marks? Is he really...gone....out of his mind?"

But no one dared to blink, leave looking at each other.

'The Teacher' continued, "My professor didn't permit me else I would have erased this mark from my life."

He paused and he had watery eyes. No one could say if it was because of anger or sorrow. He continued, "I am teacher of this caliber and one of you wrote - DUFFER, on my cabin door?"

The moment he uncovered the suspense, most of them had a look which said, "What?? Hahahah Goodness graacciouss!" They didn't breath for a while to control their laughter. While few others had a look which said, "Oh my God! Who dared to do that? How can anybody do that?" They held their breadth in deep sorrow and concern for the teacher. Everyone was avoiding any possible eye contact with fellow classmates, few cause of fear of 'The Teacher' and few cause they were afraid they won't be able to control their laughter. 

'The Teacher' was really upset with this fact. He didn't knew who did it, but he had made up his mind that one of the student of this class wrote it. A tear rolled down his eyes. He continued, "How could you people even think of such a word for me? I am the most learned person in this college. How could you? I will not teach this class henceforth."

He cleaned the board, picked his stuff and went out of the class.

As soon as he went, mummer and suppressed laughter started. Rohit was having time of his life. Not that he dared to write anything like this, but he laughed at the teacher's maddening serious attitude. Everyone was in their mood to laugh it out, when the 'Amul Butter' got up.

'Amul Butter', of course, that boy who always wanted to be in good-books of the teachers. He announced, "We need to go and apologize to Sir. We also need to convince him to take our class. He is the best faculty here."

Rohit instantly replied, "That means you wrote it on his cabin's door. Else why would you apologize? Yes, we got the culprit. Let's take him to Sir!" Although Rohit knew, people like 'Amul Butter' can not do such thing even in their wildest dreams. 

'Amul Butter' replied to this, "No, no...of course not. How can you blame me. I am not blaming anyone. But we need to find a solution to this, right? We will have to convince sir to take our class! What is the harm in saying a simple sorry and requesting him to take our class?"

Rohit looked at Pranjal and said, "Condition serious hai - case 2". They laughed. But they knew the class was slowly getting convinced with what 'Amul Butter' said. Everything got back to normal but it left a life time funny memory.

Till date no one knows who wrote that but Rohit and many others did name 'The Teacher' in their minds, "Duffer!"

P.S.: 

First, 'The Teacher' you were the best faculty, true! But life ain't such a serious thing. We need to forgo and ignore few things in life. They are too small to bother about. I name you so cause how much ever good faculty you were, you didn't know the art of living life!

Second, 'Amul butter' please get a life ;) I know you are still the same.

This blog is written as a part of contest #ConditionSeriousHai in association with Indiblogger.in.

Condition Serious Hai - cases

Right from the time I start my day, there is no lack in number of people whose condition is seriously serious. Let me unfold the day along with the ones who always force me to raise my eyebrow and shout in my head..."Oh God! His/Her condition is seriously seriously serious!"

Morning: Gym time

There are just two treadmill in the gym I head to. Not that there are no other bigger gyms are there but here the crowd is good, music is good and the instructor is a complete...I repeat, a complete eye candy....I just can't think of changing my gym. It is very very goood!

The crowd is mixed. Few aunties also come there during my time interval. One of them comes in her sari (seriously, in her sari), to do the exercises. Not that I have any issues with sari, but it is dangerous to wear it while walking on treadmill or not very comfortable attire to do other exercises as well.  

She does her warm up exercises or other simple exercises till the time we come(found out from my secret sources here!) The moment we, me and my friend, enter the gym, I don't know why, she leaves everything and gets on one of the treadmill. She walks at a speed of 2-3 for 40-45 minutes. Seriously. To add to our mental trauma, those 45 minutes are not continuous walk. She takes intervals every now and then, to drink water. Really. I am telling you, her condition is seriously seriously seriously serious.

For you, Aunty: 

Aunty I know you will never read this but if you do, take it as my earnest request, please grow up! You don't need those lousy walk, you need to have some chocolates and relax.

Morning: Office

There are varied characters in the office but you really can't avoid them all. Among them, there is one typical person manages to fit in the top most position of 'condition serious hai'. Her name is - Kiran. She joined our team a few months back. She also happens to be the torchbearer of the club 'I don't know!' Whatever...whatever I asks her to do a task, she manages to put that fake and stupidest smile on her face and utters the three miraculous words..."I DON'T KNOW!" 

I really wonder who were the recruiting team who went to her college and got her on board. All the more, I always ask, "Of all the hundreds of team in the company, why did she join mine? Why?"

Not that I know everything, but at least I try to find a way to learn it. I don't depend on my seniors to spoon feed me every bit and bite of task to be done.

For you, Kiran: 

Please, understand the fact that I am not your mommy. Please either you change your team or company or I will.

Coffee Breaks: A girl Friend

I am quiet a people-friendly person and have a huge pool of friends. Some good, some weird. There is this friend of mine - Drishti (Name changed ;)) jiski condition seriously serious hai. She has a particular habit.

Whenever just two of us are there, she is normal. She is a great company to hang out with and an awesome friend. But the moment she sees any of our boy friends or as a matter of fact any other boy, she becomes Kareena Kapoor of 'Yaadein or Khusi'.

Mere presence of boys makes her fake laughter blessed by our own 'Asiwarya Rai Bachhan', her wallet get blessed by Laxmi Maa and her mind gets blessed by the 'Owl'. She becomes so pretentious in company of boys that I feel suffocated just by looking at her. Her condition is seriously seriously serious! I really don't know how to help her so I just move away with my frappe in hand.

For Drishti:

I suppose you will read this and if you realize that this is for you than please try to be you. You are a nice person, just be that. 

Office time: Over-Responsible Boss

I have had many bosses and have heard of many but this one is a peculiar case. This boss of mine has a weird habit of taking his, his project's, his neighboring project's or any other project's responsibility on his shoulder.

Of course, he doesn't do any work for the same, but he will come and start motivating us to do all the work. He would come and say, "We have to help them finish that project. We have to do it!" We just listen to him. Over responsible or just trying to put his weight in every thing where needed or not needed, he is a pain to deal with. His condition is seriously serious.

For you, boss:
I know you will not read cause you would rather go and be at your boss's feet. Maybe your salary is increasing in folds but everyone knows that actually you are not worth a penny. 

Evening Time: Phone calls

After I leave office, all my well wishers call to inquire about my well being. There is this relative of mine, who call daily just to tell me how 'bechari' she is. What all she tells me are:

• How her maid spilled the milk or maid's complain in general
• How she had to do all the cleaning 
• How she works hard to cook food
• How she wakes up in wee hours for her family
• How her in-laws are not as good as her
• How bad fate she has annddd sooooo onnnnn!

Aaaaaa...I am soo mad just by remembering all the things I bear when I pick up her calls. Well, I always tell my husband that her life is a complete 'daal-chawaal'. No change. No excitement.

Not that I don't share few things with my mother, but I don't become a 'bechari' how much ever work I am levied upon. I wonder how people remain a cry baby throughout their lives. Her condition is seriously serious.

For you, my relative:

I know you will not read cause you really don't have time after crying so much each and every day. But if you want to be a 'bechari', you will remain that. So, please take control of your life, just don't blame the fate for everything in life.

There are many more characters jiski condition serious hai. But they top my list of those people cause inki condition seriously seriously serious hai!

P.S.: The pun is very much intended and if you feel I have written about you, then yes you are right. Please think over it with a 5 star. I am sure, 5 star would help you think and act right. Thanks for reading and hope you apply it too!

Image courtesy: Google :)

This blog is written as a part of contest #ConditionSeriousHai in association with Indiblogger.in.

Condition Serious Hai - Case 2

It was a hot Sunday afternoon. Hot winds were taking a toll on life. It seemed that entire city was in the closed doors of their homes.

Wedding in this heat was a challenge. A house of five rooms and fifteen adults, along with a few kids, packed in the house. Wonder if it was the heat of the summer or the heat within the minds, but a dispute started between two adults. Kids did behave mature and went to play ignoring the heated conversations. They ran up yelling, "Run for your lives guys, condition serious hai! Condition serious hai!" I smiled and stayed seated to confront more heat.

The reason for the heated discussion was unknown to most sitting there. The arguments been given was out of the world, completely baseless. The argument was just getting worse. Few oldies came in between and the matter was forcibly closed.

Aftermath of the heated discussion was: one of the uncle who was involved in the disputed, didn't move from that point in his life. He used to be mostly quiet but whenever he used to start a conversation, he used start his conversation with, "How could he.....!" His condition is indeed seriously serious.

Well, even after years "How could he...uncle" still remains in the same condition even after apologies and explanations. Time has changed, people have changed, situation have toppled around, but he refuses to move forward. "How could he.....uncle's" condition is seriously seriously serious!

Well, I think people whose condition are seriously serious should be left as it is....if you try to change it, it might just affect your point of view as well. Seriously Serious about it ;)

This blog is written as a part of contest #ConditionSeriousHai in association with Indiblogger.in.

Milaap - Kishore Phanindra and Group

These instances are few situations which we come across in our daily life now or then. I am sure all of you can relate to one of these incidences.

Instance 1 :

You/Me :"Mom, I have to go to XYZ tuition classes for Maths. Radhika told me that faculty in that  tuition classes are really good and clears the basic concepts and make Maths your friend. I want to      join it."

Mom: "But isn't it the most expensive classes in the town?

You/Me: "So what do you mean, Ma? I want to join that and that's it."

Mom: "Okay, but you better do well in your exams!"

Studying in a flashy and expensive tuition class has become the latest fad.

Instance 2:

You/Me: "I want to go to USA for further studies!"

A Friend: "Isn't it expensive?"

You/Me: "Yeah it is! But I will try to get as much scholarship I can. I am studying hard for same."

A Friend: "I really want to know that if you get a say 100% scholarship, will it be entirely free?"

You/Me: "I wish. No dear, you still need to have a good bank balance. Just a few lakhs!"

For studying in colleges in any part of the world, money is not the constraint for many of us. 

Instance 3:

In many MBA colleges, this is a usual story::

You/Me: "Whats your background?"

Student 1: "I have done MBBS. Now, I want to get into management side of hospitals."

Student 2: "I have done B.Tech in civil."

Student 3: "I have done BBA."

Student 4: "I have done Hotel Management."

Student 5: "I have done B.Com."

Student 6: "I am pursuing CA along with MBA -Fin."

And the list goes on.

We, who are blessed with well-to-do parents, have option to follow one dream and then when it seems far-fetched then follow another. We don't worry about the financial side of taking up a career and then changing it with some 180 deg or 360 deg. 

Instance 4 

This is something which is happening throughout India. 

Well-to-parents and their not-so-capable child's aspiration to study in some prestigious college, has given birth to the spreading disease called - DONATION. 

How much ever be the donation amount, no body bothers much to shell out that amount.

But there are many people in the world, who just want one chance, want to study one particular subject and they would earn their living from it. 

Meet - Kishore, Nikhil and Divya!

They are youngsters in the age-range of 21-23 hailing from Hyderabad and have humble family background. Their families have supported them and helped them complete their graduation degree. These students are looking forward to a job now. However, for the desired job, they have to compete with a large pool of graduates looking for similar jobs and with similar qualifications. To set themselves apart, they wish to undergo a JAVA training program designed by Talent Sprint. By completing this training program, they can enhance their knowledge and technical skills which would ease the process of them getting the job. These youngsters request a loan of Rs. 87,000 for that training program. They are sure to get the job post-training with which they can start helping out their families who have supported them till now.

We are fortunate enough that God has blessed us with parents who can support us till we find our dream job. Let's lend a helping hand to the needy, let's together give them a chance to find their dream job.

The money which you give as LOAN will be returned to you within SIX months. Let's together make a better tomorrow for them.

Here's the link to make your contribution:  http://milaap.org/fund/kishore-phanindra-and-group/2007?&referrer_id=9125 

This post has been written for the Hope Project undertaken by Milaap on Indiblogger. 

Milaap - Kavitha and group!

The shopping list was finally done. It was not very big. It read - 

For my cutie pie - 

1) J&J Powder

2) J&J Moisturizer

3) J&J Wipes

4) J&J cream

5) J&J soap

6) J&J shampoo

7) Pampers

8) Clothes from Mom & Me

I was excited like any other new mother, seeing my baby who was just a few days old. I had made my list consulting my sister and sis-in-law asking for things needed for the baby. I was in no mood to do any compromises and get just the best and proven products for my bundle of joy. 

I am sure all of you reading can relate to this phase when we want to give just the best to our little ones. 

But have you ever thought of what those mother would be going through if they can't even provide their children with clean drinking water and a hygienic toilet? 

They are - Revathi, Jeyalakshmi, Kavitha, Ammasi, and Jeyalakshmi, women from Tamil Nadu. These mother think differently. The thoughts running in their minds are - 

What would I feed my child with? 

Contaminated water to drink and same infected water to cook food!

My child doesn't even have a place called - hygienic bathrooms?

Can you help them?

YES, YES. YOU CAN. 

I CAN. 

WE CAN.

All they are looking for is a small LOAN of Rs. 45,000 to build four toilets and provide a clean water connection for drinking and bathing. Jeyalakshmi would like to get a piped water connection at home, while the rest of them wish to build toilets. This will substantially improve the overall health and quality of life for these five families from Musiri in Tamil Nadu.

Please note that they want LOAN. The amount which you loan will be returned to you in the specified time. 

But you feel for these unfortunate mothers and want to go ahead and make a small contribution as little as possible for you, it will make a tremendous difference for their lives.

Let's together bless the children of these mothers with the most, I repeat, the most basic needs of life.

Here's the link to make your contribution: http://milaap.org/fund/kavitha-and-group/2099?&referrer_id=9125

This post has been written for the Hope Project undertaken by Milaap on Indiblogger. 

Knowledge is Great!

"Knowledge is Great! Is't it?" said Meera's mother. She continued in a concerned voice, "But why do you need to go and study in UK? We have great universities here in India as well! Why don't you consider something here?"

Meera looked at her and spoke in a plain voice, "Like the UK universities are calling me. Ma, I have just applied. Let the process flow and let's see what are the results? Can we talk about it then?"

Meera knew her mother will nag till she is completely satisfied with the answer. As expected, her mother walked a few step towards the door and then turned. Meera said, "I just knew it. You will not leave like that." They both started laughing. Her mother came to her and patted her head. She said, "I know you will get through it, dear. But I should know the reason why you want to study in UK?"

Meera sighed and looked up. She said, "Come Ma, sit here. I will show you why?"
She switched on her laptop and looked at her mother and continued, "Ma, you know my love for journalism is not going to die, right! But I don't want to just do a course from any ordinary university. I want it from the best. Not that the courses in India are bad, but I don't want to compromise on my knowledge and learning. I want to pursue my journalism course from the 'University of Westminster'."

Meera opened the home page of the university and moved the laptop to show her mother.

Meera's mother looked at the screen with a lot of interest. Meera continued, "Look at the site Ma. This is a top ranking college to pursue a journalism course. It has a history of 175 years. It has groomed many notable journalist who work in BBC or other news channels and hold a position to envy. Not only this, it has a huge student and alumni base, which automatically increases my network to many folds. The course covered here is the best in the world. Faculty who teach here are A-stars. Studying there is like floating in river of knowledge and learning while passing through it." Meera stopped to take a breadth while her mother just looked at her daughter and felt the desperation of hers to go and learn from the best college in the world. Meera continued, "Look Ma, see this!"

Meera gestured her mother to look at the course details. She continued, "It is just a three year course Ma. This is what I want to do. To add to the learning, college has its own student-run radio and TV shows. And its own magazine and newspaper. Can you imagine the amount of exposure which I will get from there, from every perspective. Also..." Meera paused. Her eyes twinkled and continued, "And also the life of students in UK. It is the place to be to learn. The place is beautiful and the fun students have, they party, they earn, they learn, they work hard, they don't sleep, the assignments, the seminars, the projects, the deadlines, the rush, the smiles, the pressures, the abnormal living and super-normal learning. I want to live that life. In real!"

Meera had a confidence on her face, prayers in her eyes and determination in her heart. She looked at the pictures for some time with a wish to lead that life. She had worked hard to get through the college but the result and then her parents were two things she needed to crack through. She knew convincing her mother is a major part. Her dad would support her anyways. She looked at her mother who was looking at those pictures and had a different look on her face.

Her mother said, "Good choice beta. You should never compromise in learning. Like is said, knowledge is great. All my prayers are for you."

Image courtesy: Google.

This post is written as a part of the #KnowledgeIsGreat contest on Indiblogger