Years back shopping meant a visit to the market to purchase a few clothes that served the purpose for a whole year. As times changed, even the meaning of shopping did. From what was restricted to a couple of clothes for a whole year, shopping now means a fortnightly affair. Now we need to shop again and again for different occasions-for parties, college, office, get togethers, marriage etc. Different clothes serve different purpose. We need a variety in casuals, semi formals, formals, Indian wear, western wear and even sports wear.
The priority is to look stylish, gorgeous, handsome, classy and trendy. In college, girls want to flaunt jeans, skirts, dresses and shorts paired with a variety of tee shirts and accessories. In office, men want to wear nothing less than Koutons, as ladies show off Sabhyata and Westside. More so, as the season of weddings arrives, there is a rush to the magnificent stores where one can indulge in gorgeous sarees and lehengas. Today, fashion is not just for the grown ups but also for new borns. Mothers want their newly borns to be dressed in Liliput or UCB. Fashion has evolved itself for everyone and for every occasion. It is no longer restricted by age or gender.
Fashion has had such a deep impact on people today, that often the topic of discussion between ladies is what to wear and where to buy. Gone are the days when one suit served the purpose of attending office and a party. Today office means sophisticated suits and parties mean exotic clothes. If someone does end up repeating her clothes at any occasion, then only God save her from being the topic of discussion.
So we indulge in shop holism as the importance of brands increase and end up shopping frequently. We are easily swayed by latest designs and recent collections, and lured by the tag of being a stylish person.
But do we understand the carbon footprint of such an attitude? Do we understand the deep dark side of this habit of indulging in shopping? Even if we do, do we do anything to change it? The answer to perhaps all questions is a NO. At a time when environment has become the centre of all discussions- from industrial activity to commonwealth games, we need to realize that it is also at the nucleus of fashion.
The irony is that while on one hand we buy hoards of clothes every year, there is a large proportion of the world population which does not even have clothes to cover their body! According to World Bank census, around 1.4 billion people worldwide do with only a pair or two of clothes in a year.
With the growing concern of environmental damage and emphasis on carbon footprints we need to analyze if we are doing our bit to save the environment. The answer to this comes in the form of a movement of ‘Slow fashion’. Why do we need to buy different clothes for different occasions? Why do we judge a person only by the variety of clothes he wears? Why do we get lured so easily by the recent collections and changing trends? Why can’t we keep the big picture in mind and understand the impact of such an attitude?
Let’s become smart shoppers and understand that the clothes should be used to their full capacity. Let us join the new wave of ‘slow fashion’. Slow fashion, as the name suggests, is a concept which focuses on more optimal use of clothes. It promotes less frequent shopping. It is a revolution of ideas and habits which encourage a shift from indulging in shopping to restricting the purchase of clothes. In fact slow fashion is also endorsed by some of the leading brands. Levi Strauss & Co. and Forum for the Future have collaborated to form the Fashion Futures which calls for support of the industry to keep climate changes in mind and coming up with more sustainable forms of fashion. Levis hence takes pride in the fact that they believe in making all their garments environmentally stable.
Let us also take pride in the fact that we don’t indulge in fashion just for the sake of it and purchase clothes when in dire need of it. Slow fashion might not be the complete answer to the problem, but it is definitely a beginning. If we do shop less frequently, the consumption of energy for this purpose would also reduce. This energy can then be diverted to more purposeful use like production of food. We need to understand that we are consuming more than the need all in the name of fashion!
As humans we have justification for everything we do, but its time to take a decision now. Just remember keeping environment in mind never goes out of style.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Judge not
not my original. but worth a post!
Judge Not
I was shocked, confused, bewildered
As I entered Heaven's door,
Not by the beauty of it all,
Nor the lights or its decor.
But it was the folks in Heaven
Who made me sputter and gasp--
The thieves, the liars, the sinners,
The alcoholics and the trash.
There stood the kid from seventh grade
Who swiped my lunch money twice.
Next to him was my old neighbor
Who never said anything nice.
Herb, who I always thought
Was rotting away in hell,
Was sitting pretty on cloud nine,
Looking incredibly well.
I nudged God, 'What's the deal?
I would love to hear Your take.
How'd all these sinners get up here?
God must've made a mistake.
'And why is everyone so quiet,
So somber - give me a clue.'
'Hush, child,' He said, 'they're all in shock.
No one thought they'd be seeing you.'
Judge Not
I was shocked, confused, bewildered
As I entered Heaven's door,
Not by the beauty of it all,
Nor the lights or its decor.
But it was the folks in Heaven
Who made me sputter and gasp--
The thieves, the liars, the sinners,
The alcoholics and the trash.
There stood the kid from seventh grade
Who swiped my lunch money twice.
Next to him was my old neighbor
Who never said anything nice.
Herb, who I always thought
Was rotting away in hell,
Was sitting pretty on cloud nine,
Looking incredibly well.
I nudged God, 'What's the deal?
I would love to hear Your take.
How'd all these sinners get up here?
God must've made a mistake.
'And why is everyone so quiet,
So somber - give me a clue.'
'Hush, child,' He said, 'they're all in shock.
No one thought they'd be seeing you.'
Monday, July 5, 2010
Return to Innocence
When I was a kid my father decided my menu. Today I decide his. When I was young my granny stitched my clothes. Today it’s the posh boutique. As a kid, I would cry when my mother took me to the beautician to get me a hair cut. Today I fight with her to allow me to get one done.
What am I trying to do here by talking to you about these changes? I am trying to tell you that there was a time when getting hurt meant just a bruise on the knee, the only things broken were the toys. Today the meanings have changed, our definitions have changed, life has changed.
Have you ever taken out an hour and gone for a walk in the park full of young kids -playing. I do that every evening. (or at least did until I also got caught in the race to excel in the corporate world)
So the best part about that one hour of walking was that I got to listen and indulge in one hour of music, without any guilt of not studying or not helping my mother with the house-work. I used to wait for the clock to strike 6 every evening and then I would rush to the park. With earphones on, my playlist including everything from Linking Park to A R Rahman and I would relish that one hour.
As I used to walk, I would observe the little kids who were accompanied to the park either by their aayahs or grandparents. It was quite interesting to observe the little, young boys and girls play around, running after each other, laughing, crying, shouting, clapping all at the same time! As I did so day after day, little did I know that they would teach me so much and give me the most important learning of my life. The learning to return to innocence.
I used to watch them playing a variety of games from catch and catch to hide and seek, I would see them as they would run towards the swings, wave at their grandpa from there and the very next moment come back running. Boys would end up hitting each other, but the angst lasted for no more than 5 mins.
Don’t all of you remember your childhood days? How you took pride in showing your mother a 10/10 in maths test? Or an A in the drawing test? How Barbie dolls were your trophies and winning the cricket match the end of this world? Hasn’t it been ages you picked up a bat and hit a sixer? Haven’t it been ages when you dressed a doll with your own designed frocks? Half of you might even be thinking that ive gone mad asking you such silly questions.
But have you ever thought how today the pride is personified not by a 10/10 but by a cheque? How trophies have changed to commendations by our boss and getting into IIM is the end of the world.
Friends observe the eyes of a young child. it reflects purity, and innocence. Their gestures reflect spontaneity and genuity. Their smile radiates warmth and happiness. It’s a pleasure to watch them enjoy, and enjoy with no worries of future, no worries of being observed and no worries of trying to impress. dear friends, kids try to express and not impress.
This makes me wonder, where does the innocence go once we grow up? Why don’t we still wave at our grandpa when we leave for work? why is it all about working and impressing our boss? Why is it no more about genuity? why are we reminded of our friends only when we have some work from them? why do our eyes reflect only ambition? WHY???
Take a moment before you say –oh cmon akshita nothing like that, and think…we have justifications for everything—we work not for ourselves but for our family, we are ambitious so that we are able to make our parents dream come true, I hurt him because he hurt me..and so on and on and on.
But are we as innocent as we were when we were kids? Do our gestures suggest philanthropy? Do we still hope our contemporaries do better than us? Don’t we put money way before our health? Doesn’t enjoyment mean indulging in drinks rather than spending time with our kids? Isn’t our attendance at the office meetings more than at the kid’s stage performance?
Don’t answer me. Don’t answer anyone. Just make a decision. a decision to return to innocence.
Innocence that would act as a magnet force and attract positive people, innocence that would make people fall in love with you. innocence will make you happy, innocence will make you hardworking, innocence will make you sincere, innocence will make you simple. Innocence will make you look for happiness in the right things, innocence will make you give happiness to others.
All you have to do is to think life is beautiful. To keep hope alive. To find your friend in faith, to still find joy when theres no light, to thankgod, if you are struck in the traffic jam, to pick up your cricket bat every weekend, to dress up your daughter’s Barbie doll, to smile, to say I love you, to enjoy the first rain.
Let innocence be reflected in the way you talk, in the way you work. Give it a chance. When you will, you will see how people adore you and respect you. Be innocent, down to earth and simple. Let people judge you by attributes, and not appearance.
Why do we admire gandhiji? The answer to this itself justifies my plea here.today’s world will not change. It will still be a cat and mouse race in the corporate world, success will still be judged by money, but what will change is the fact that you ll be more happy, yur kids will be happier, your family will be happy!
What am I trying to do here by talking to you about these changes? I am trying to tell you that there was a time when getting hurt meant just a bruise on the knee, the only things broken were the toys. Today the meanings have changed, our definitions have changed, life has changed.
Have you ever taken out an hour and gone for a walk in the park full of young kids -playing. I do that every evening. (or at least did until I also got caught in the race to excel in the corporate world)
So the best part about that one hour of walking was that I got to listen and indulge in one hour of music, without any guilt of not studying or not helping my mother with the house-work. I used to wait for the clock to strike 6 every evening and then I would rush to the park. With earphones on, my playlist including everything from Linking Park to A R Rahman and I would relish that one hour.
As I used to walk, I would observe the little kids who were accompanied to the park either by their aayahs or grandparents. It was quite interesting to observe the little, young boys and girls play around, running after each other, laughing, crying, shouting, clapping all at the same time! As I did so day after day, little did I know that they would teach me so much and give me the most important learning of my life. The learning to return to innocence.
I used to watch them playing a variety of games from catch and catch to hide and seek, I would see them as they would run towards the swings, wave at their grandpa from there and the very next moment come back running. Boys would end up hitting each other, but the angst lasted for no more than 5 mins.
Don’t all of you remember your childhood days? How you took pride in showing your mother a 10/10 in maths test? Or an A in the drawing test? How Barbie dolls were your trophies and winning the cricket match the end of this world? Hasn’t it been ages you picked up a bat and hit a sixer? Haven’t it been ages when you dressed a doll with your own designed frocks? Half of you might even be thinking that ive gone mad asking you such silly questions.
But have you ever thought how today the pride is personified not by a 10/10 but by a cheque? How trophies have changed to commendations by our boss and getting into IIM is the end of the world.
Friends observe the eyes of a young child. it reflects purity, and innocence. Their gestures reflect spontaneity and genuity. Their smile radiates warmth and happiness. It’s a pleasure to watch them enjoy, and enjoy with no worries of future, no worries of being observed and no worries of trying to impress. dear friends, kids try to express and not impress.
This makes me wonder, where does the innocence go once we grow up? Why don’t we still wave at our grandpa when we leave for work? why is it all about working and impressing our boss? Why is it no more about genuity? why are we reminded of our friends only when we have some work from them? why do our eyes reflect only ambition? WHY???
Take a moment before you say –oh cmon akshita nothing like that, and think…we have justifications for everything—we work not for ourselves but for our family, we are ambitious so that we are able to make our parents dream come true, I hurt him because he hurt me..and so on and on and on.
But are we as innocent as we were when we were kids? Do our gestures suggest philanthropy? Do we still hope our contemporaries do better than us? Don’t we put money way before our health? Doesn’t enjoyment mean indulging in drinks rather than spending time with our kids? Isn’t our attendance at the office meetings more than at the kid’s stage performance?
Don’t answer me. Don’t answer anyone. Just make a decision. a decision to return to innocence.
Innocence that would act as a magnet force and attract positive people, innocence that would make people fall in love with you. innocence will make you happy, innocence will make you hardworking, innocence will make you sincere, innocence will make you simple. Innocence will make you look for happiness in the right things, innocence will make you give happiness to others.
All you have to do is to think life is beautiful. To keep hope alive. To find your friend in faith, to still find joy when theres no light, to thankgod, if you are struck in the traffic jam, to pick up your cricket bat every weekend, to dress up your daughter’s Barbie doll, to smile, to say I love you, to enjoy the first rain.
Let innocence be reflected in the way you talk, in the way you work. Give it a chance. When you will, you will see how people adore you and respect you. Be innocent, down to earth and simple. Let people judge you by attributes, and not appearance.
Why do we admire gandhiji? The answer to this itself justifies my plea here.today’s world will not change. It will still be a cat and mouse race in the corporate world, success will still be judged by money, but what will change is the fact that you ll be more happy, yur kids will be happier, your family will be happy!
A good or a bad day?
Ill let you decide whether I had a good or a bad day..just read and decide!
a)I celebrated my father’s long awaited 50th bday yesterday night. We reached back home at 2, and had to wake up at 5:30 am (it was a fight to wake up!)
b)Finally I did. Then I fought my way to the washroom, and got dressed for office. The clothes I had decided turned out to be super inappropriate for this weather, so I wasted another ten mins for the ‘appropriate’ ones.
c)I settled for a suit..so the fight came to my chappals again. Keeping in mind the weather and the bad track record of my chappals, I had to wear my floaters. And since floaters look awful with suit, and highly informal, I had to pack my chappals and keep them in my bag (which I hate!)
d)When I went downstairs (we live in a duplex btw. My mom dad on 1st floor, my sis and I on second) my mother had prepared my tiffin () but no breakfast. Had to do with medicine and coffee.
e)I forgot to do my pooja in hurry!
f)When I left I realized I forgot my better half at home..my specs! I went back but couldn’t find them on mom’s floor. Then I went to my floor, and still couldn’t find them. Finally I found them at their place only (in the cover and on my study table)
g)I reached the bus stop but the bus dint come (I jumped to the conclusion that it was because of the bandh). Then I decided to walk down keeping in mind the weather. Oo. Bad idea. It was humid, and the way never seemed to end! I kept walking and walking, and sweating and sweating. But the music was good! :
h)I reached the next bus stop and waited for the bus. I decided to take another bus rather than my regular bus, and as soon as I got onto the bus it started pouring! Suddenly!
i)I asked a guy to get up from the ladies seat. I generally don’t do that, but I know this bus gets hell full and anyways some lady would have asked him to get up. So I did. And he got up grumbling.
j)At dhaula kuan, I sat for almost half an hour before the next bus came. All this while I had no choice but to wait in humidity (the rain stopped just before my stop!)
k)In the next bus also I asked a guy to get up (:p)from the seat for the same reason!
l)I reached office after an uneventful ride.
m)Except, that while I was getting off this stupid lady got hold of my kurta (god knows why!) and it tore
n)I reached office, and rushed to the washroom (to change my funny floaters) and thankfully found no one in the washroom (anjali walked in..but later)
o)Once at my seat, I got to know my boss might not be coming today.
p)i met pushkar and nakul today and had a blast. we couldnt decide where to eat, which mall to go, whom to drop first etc etc.
q) as soon as nakul dropped me, my chappal, yes the famous famous chappal, my favourite favourite chappal broke! hmph. all men standing had a good laugh ok! and my pedicure...umm..lets not talk about it!
r) i couldnt find the cobbler who sits near my office only otherwise. turned out he dint come today
s) i called nakul, who was half way home BUT was sweet enough to come back just to help me! aww
see, I don’t know if it was bad or good (that you please suggest) but it was an interesting day and issi bahaane I got something to write on!
a)I celebrated my father’s long awaited 50th bday yesterday night. We reached back home at 2, and had to wake up at 5:30 am (it was a fight to wake up!)
b)Finally I did. Then I fought my way to the washroom, and got dressed for office. The clothes I had decided turned out to be super inappropriate for this weather, so I wasted another ten mins for the ‘appropriate’ ones.
c)I settled for a suit..so the fight came to my chappals again. Keeping in mind the weather and the bad track record of my chappals, I had to wear my floaters. And since floaters look awful with suit, and highly informal, I had to pack my chappals and keep them in my bag (which I hate!)
d)When I went downstairs (we live in a duplex btw. My mom dad on 1st floor, my sis and I on second) my mother had prepared my tiffin () but no breakfast. Had to do with medicine and coffee.
e)I forgot to do my pooja in hurry!
f)When I left I realized I forgot my better half at home..my specs! I went back but couldn’t find them on mom’s floor. Then I went to my floor, and still couldn’t find them. Finally I found them at their place only (in the cover and on my study table)
g)I reached the bus stop but the bus dint come (I jumped to the conclusion that it was because of the bandh). Then I decided to walk down keeping in mind the weather. Oo. Bad idea. It was humid, and the way never seemed to end! I kept walking and walking, and sweating and sweating. But the music was good! :
h)I reached the next bus stop and waited for the bus. I decided to take another bus rather than my regular bus, and as soon as I got onto the bus it started pouring! Suddenly!
i)I asked a guy to get up from the ladies seat. I generally don’t do that, but I know this bus gets hell full and anyways some lady would have asked him to get up. So I did. And he got up grumbling.
j)At dhaula kuan, I sat for almost half an hour before the next bus came. All this while I had no choice but to wait in humidity (the rain stopped just before my stop!)
k)In the next bus also I asked a guy to get up (:p)from the seat for the same reason!
l)I reached office after an uneventful ride.
m)Except, that while I was getting off this stupid lady got hold of my kurta (god knows why!) and it tore
n)I reached office, and rushed to the washroom (to change my funny floaters) and thankfully found no one in the washroom (anjali walked in..but later)
o)Once at my seat, I got to know my boss might not be coming today.
p)i met pushkar and nakul today and had a blast. we couldnt decide where to eat, which mall to go, whom to drop first etc etc.
q) as soon as nakul dropped me, my chappal, yes the famous famous chappal, my favourite favourite chappal broke! hmph. all men standing had a good laugh ok! and my pedicure...umm..lets not talk about it!
r) i couldnt find the cobbler who sits near my office only otherwise. turned out he dint come today
s) i called nakul, who was half way home BUT was sweet enough to come back just to help me! aww
see, I don’t know if it was bad or good (that you please suggest) but it was an interesting day and issi bahaane I got something to write on!
Thursday, July 1, 2010
way back home!
For those who take sadist pleasure in my discomfort I bring to you another blog post of the same day (1st July 2010) on my way back.
No doubt I had an ‘interesting’ trip to office according to people who read my blog and found time to send a quick sms to me.. (by the way thanks!), but what also came true is the fact that I had a very ‘interesting’ trip home too!
I left office around 5:30 pm. As I stepped out, woah! It was pouring! And it was so damn windy! I looked at the sky, then the people, then myself and finally my chappals! Yea chappals because these chappals have a track record of not surviving water, and giving away right when am in trouble! But yea am an idiot and I still get them repaired and wear them for I love these chappals!
So I had no choice but to pray I make it home with these chappals..and I did..
I made my way through the traffic, with wind blowing at its fastest speed..my umbrella often pulled me back as I tried to make my way through. (ps had a real tough time!) I reached the main road and woah it was jammed…and the mud that is kept outside our office had taken its worst shape! My chappal often got stuck in the wet mud and gave me a real hard time.
BUS 1:
When I reached the bus stop, I hopped in the very first bus for two reasons A) it was not full B) it was pouring and I was wet! It turned out that all the seats were super wet except for one seat—guess which one? (hehee) next to the conductor ;) so I sat next to the conductor again, and this conductor was super talkative!
He commented on my sms speed, my bad luck of not being in a company that gives cab service, his bad luck of being conductor in a Non AC bus, our bad luck of living in the city with no rainfall (guess he referred to Delhi because it was pouring in gurgaon!) and the havoc that comes with the rains!
In all this conversation, I dint get to know when Dhaula Kuan came, and it was not at all raining there. The clouds had covered the sun, there were signs of drizzles, but no rain. I then waited for my next bus.
BUS 2:
Am happy to report there was no happening incidence during my 2nd bus ride.
BUS 3:
I got on to a different bus route. The conductor told me the bus took the usual route only but had just changed its number for it was extended after Lajpat. I hopped on to the bus, very happy that I got a seat (next to the window and the weather was awesome!) when I opened my wallet to purchase the ticked (o fish!) I dint have change. Had only a 500 Rs note.. I knew the conductor would sulk, and crib and not even have the change! This wasn’t going to work this way..so I searched for change in my bag.
Now for those who don’t know, I have a huge red bag, which has no pockets inside. So all my stuff is kept inside loose and I have this bad habit of throwing my change in rather than keeping it in the wallet. So I started searching in my bag, but the contents were quite irritating. So I started keeping my stuff on the seat. First my notebook, then shades, then scraf, then tiffin, then water bottle, then medicines, then comb (:p) so on and on. My ticket costs 10 bucks and I got 8 bucks change :( so I had no choice but to ask the conductor..8re ya 500? He cribbed and got irritated but took the 500 to give me 490 back!
When I got off at Lajpat, the weather was amazing, I was already late to meet the photographer who was to cover my dad’s surprise party, parivardhan and I had had a fight (after ages :p) and I had my earphones. So for the next 2 kms I decided walk..and I did.
Lisning to music, enjoying the cool breeze, smiling ll the way, even humming a bit, I finally reached home-half drenched and half dry.
That was my ‘pehli tareek’
No doubt I had an ‘interesting’ trip to office according to people who read my blog and found time to send a quick sms to me.. (by the way thanks!), but what also came true is the fact that I had a very ‘interesting’ trip home too!
I left office around 5:30 pm. As I stepped out, woah! It was pouring! And it was so damn windy! I looked at the sky, then the people, then myself and finally my chappals! Yea chappals because these chappals have a track record of not surviving water, and giving away right when am in trouble! But yea am an idiot and I still get them repaired and wear them for I love these chappals!
So I had no choice but to pray I make it home with these chappals..and I did..
I made my way through the traffic, with wind blowing at its fastest speed..my umbrella often pulled me back as I tried to make my way through. (ps had a real tough time!) I reached the main road and woah it was jammed…and the mud that is kept outside our office had taken its worst shape! My chappal often got stuck in the wet mud and gave me a real hard time.
BUS 1:
When I reached the bus stop, I hopped in the very first bus for two reasons A) it was not full B) it was pouring and I was wet! It turned out that all the seats were super wet except for one seat—guess which one? (hehee) next to the conductor ;) so I sat next to the conductor again, and this conductor was super talkative!
He commented on my sms speed, my bad luck of not being in a company that gives cab service, his bad luck of being conductor in a Non AC bus, our bad luck of living in the city with no rainfall (guess he referred to Delhi because it was pouring in gurgaon!) and the havoc that comes with the rains!
In all this conversation, I dint get to know when Dhaula Kuan came, and it was not at all raining there. The clouds had covered the sun, there were signs of drizzles, but no rain. I then waited for my next bus.
BUS 2:
Am happy to report there was no happening incidence during my 2nd bus ride.
BUS 3:
I got on to a different bus route. The conductor told me the bus took the usual route only but had just changed its number for it was extended after Lajpat. I hopped on to the bus, very happy that I got a seat (next to the window and the weather was awesome!) when I opened my wallet to purchase the ticked (o fish!) I dint have change. Had only a 500 Rs note.. I knew the conductor would sulk, and crib and not even have the change! This wasn’t going to work this way..so I searched for change in my bag.
Now for those who don’t know, I have a huge red bag, which has no pockets inside. So all my stuff is kept inside loose and I have this bad habit of throwing my change in rather than keeping it in the wallet. So I started searching in my bag, but the contents were quite irritating. So I started keeping my stuff on the seat. First my notebook, then shades, then scraf, then tiffin, then water bottle, then medicines, then comb (:p) so on and on. My ticket costs 10 bucks and I got 8 bucks change :( so I had no choice but to ask the conductor..8re ya 500? He cribbed and got irritated but took the 500 to give me 490 back!
When I got off at Lajpat, the weather was amazing, I was already late to meet the photographer who was to cover my dad’s surprise party, parivardhan and I had had a fight (after ages :p) and I had my earphones. So for the next 2 kms I decided walk..and I did.
Lisning to music, enjoying the cool breeze, smiling ll the way, even humming a bit, I finally reached home-half drenched and half dry.
That was my ‘pehli tareek’
I make it to office!--1st July 2010
How happy I am to be able to write again! Nothing can describe it. Still ill make an attempt. For the past month work kept me busy. Writing on the blog took a backseat, as only emails were to be written now. Its quite cool here (in literal sense of course) and often I see quivering hands. But this entry is not about my office, It’s about my trip(s) to the office!
(since I want some sympathy) let me start with the fact that it takes me 2.5 hours every day each side, and after spending all this while doing nothing and changing three buses I reach my office on the 4th floor. Coming to the details, my bus journeys are obviously very tiring and exhausting! I never get a seat but I manage to grab a standing place near the window.
Every day while people might think am doing nothing in the bus, I often spend time indulging in music, and observing people. I see people sulking because of the heat, I see kids enjoying the breeze, I see the driver keeping note of the traffic, and I especially notice bus drivers competing with each other and strategically planning their way on the route.
So everyday I had the same (or may be not) experience. But today was little different. And so here goes the story
BUS 1:
my first bus journey approximates to about 15 mins-from my home to the main bus stop. Today I took a private bus (not DTC) and as soon as I paid for my ticket I noticed a DTC bus of the same route zooming by. I realized I wasn’t the only one, and even the conductor and bus driver had noticed their competitor. What followed was quite expected…the private bus driver seemed to forget his lazy way of driving and kicked the gear, the conductor of private bus shouted the route at the top of his voice trying his best to motivate the people at the stop to jump into the bus!
The two buses tried to overtake each other at every opportunity- red light, turns, bus stops and otherwise. And this had only one benefit-and the benefit was entirely to the passengers, for this trip was cut short to merely 7 mins..
BUS 2:
my next bus journey takes 45 mins..from lajpat nagar to Dhaula Kuan, and that is the time I listen to proper music, and try to catch a sleep. I love to read, but cant in moving buses, I feel dizzy, blame my nervous system. Today unfortunately I again got a full bus, but I know how to get work done. ;)
I stood next to the conductor seat, and noticing a ‘helpless, tired, exhaustive’ looking girl (that’s me) a ‘nice, decent guy’ (don’t know who) offered his seat next to the conductor. The bus literally emptied at South Ex but I dint care to really change my seat. So I sat next to the conductor and gained a first hand experience of sitting next to the conductor. Did I mention this one was a DTC bus today. And for those who aren’t aware, DTC buses have this system of making a mark on the ticket noting where the holder got on to the bus and where he plans to get off. Now this is really important because if the ticket checkers get on to the bus, and you are caught with a wrong ticket, well be ready to shelve away 200 bucks!
So for the next 45 mins I observed people getting on to the bus, getting their tickets, collecting the change and searching for a seat. The conductor would often crib when the passengers dint give change, but the passengers were often helpless in this case.
So after 45 mins of repeated action, Dhaula kuan came.
BUS 3:
my next bus ride is pathetic! Duration is more than 1 hour 15 mins, at the 1st bus stop itself the bus gets full, mine is the 5th bus stop so you can imagine, its full of men..stinking! and the bus has to get stuck in jam and atleast 4 main spots! Am talking about Dhaula Kuan to Gurgaon.
Today also when I saw the bus, it gave me an adrenaline rush, not because I was excited but because there was no spare seat in the bus, and so I had to make sure I make my way from back to front and get the place to stand near the window, where there is minimum contact with the sweaty men :p and I managed to get the place. The next one and half hour was unexpectedly super exciting today.
Incident 1: We had DTC ticket checkers getting onto the bus. They checked everyone’s ticket and found a guy who did not have a ticket. What followed were a series of explanations that were by the way so lame that it was obvious that the guy was lying. So he cried, pleaded, and even tried to jump out of the moving bus, but when the ticket-checkers are in the bus, absolutely nothing works! And the guy ended up being bet, paid a fine of 200 bucks and we ended up being late! (hmph)
Incident 2: Not every lady gets a seat, obviously! Not every man gets a seat (Even more obvious). So, it so happened that there was a lady standing next to a seat and a guy was trying to make his way from front to the back side of the bus because he needed to buy his ticket and no one was really ready to do it for him. So he made his way and his bad luck- he touched the lady standing there. Oh! That created one hell of a scene. Turned out that lady was a lady in terms of miss-touch-me-not but not a lady in terms of sophistication. She abused him like a guy, and cribbed like a woman. She shouted like a man, she wailed like a woman. She fought like a man and taunted like a woman. She threatened to call the police, argued, fought, called him names, and threatened him with all force. That carried on for another twenty mins as we crossed mahipalpur. That lady.. I can never forget!
Incident 3: As we reached the last bus stop before the toll, there was a rush of passengers into the bus. Suddenly it actually felt sophisticated inside. Then I heard a woman fighting with someone. I thought it was the incident 2 lady again. But I turned out to be wrong. Then it turned out that this girl (not a lady) had been standing in the front and passed money to another guy standing and asked him to pass it to the conductor. That guy passed it to someone else, and that someone else to someone else. Though the money was expected to reach the conductor it ultimately didnt! And someone in that chain had gotten off with the money at the bus stop (LOL). The girl ended up fighting with the conductor which I still fail to understand why!
Incident 4: yea this is the final one. There is a very fine saying—every dog has his day. After seeing so many stupid people, who would just fight/shout/and look idiots, now came my turn. As we crossed toll, and saw the jam in front of Ambience mall, I heard someone yelling at the driver asking him to take the bus from above the flyover rather than under. Now my office is under the flyover and I ended up in panic mode. A) I don’t know the ways around Gurgaon B) I was getting super late C) I felt unwell D) it was hot! E) the flyover ends way after my office.
So while that guy yelled asking the driver to take it from above, I decided to pioneer the fight of taking it under the flyover. As he shouted, so did I. a point came when we both were shouting. (:P) finally the driver took it from under the flyover and I was glad-turned out he dint do it for me, but because that’s the general route and he doesn’t have the authority to change routes. But I was glad atleast I did my bit for red alert ;)
And with that I reached office, and hopefully ill have a peaceful way back. By the way, I was so observant today because my office mate Anjali had my earphones!
(since I want some sympathy) let me start with the fact that it takes me 2.5 hours every day each side, and after spending all this while doing nothing and changing three buses I reach my office on the 4th floor. Coming to the details, my bus journeys are obviously very tiring and exhausting! I never get a seat but I manage to grab a standing place near the window.
Every day while people might think am doing nothing in the bus, I often spend time indulging in music, and observing people. I see people sulking because of the heat, I see kids enjoying the breeze, I see the driver keeping note of the traffic, and I especially notice bus drivers competing with each other and strategically planning their way on the route.
So everyday I had the same (or may be not) experience. But today was little different. And so here goes the story
BUS 1:
my first bus journey approximates to about 15 mins-from my home to the main bus stop. Today I took a private bus (not DTC) and as soon as I paid for my ticket I noticed a DTC bus of the same route zooming by. I realized I wasn’t the only one, and even the conductor and bus driver had noticed their competitor. What followed was quite expected…the private bus driver seemed to forget his lazy way of driving and kicked the gear, the conductor of private bus shouted the route at the top of his voice trying his best to motivate the people at the stop to jump into the bus!
The two buses tried to overtake each other at every opportunity- red light, turns, bus stops and otherwise. And this had only one benefit-and the benefit was entirely to the passengers, for this trip was cut short to merely 7 mins..
BUS 2:
my next bus journey takes 45 mins..from lajpat nagar to Dhaula Kuan, and that is the time I listen to proper music, and try to catch a sleep. I love to read, but cant in moving buses, I feel dizzy, blame my nervous system. Today unfortunately I again got a full bus, but I know how to get work done. ;)
I stood next to the conductor seat, and noticing a ‘helpless, tired, exhaustive’ looking girl (that’s me) a ‘nice, decent guy’ (don’t know who) offered his seat next to the conductor. The bus literally emptied at South Ex but I dint care to really change my seat. So I sat next to the conductor and gained a first hand experience of sitting next to the conductor. Did I mention this one was a DTC bus today. And for those who aren’t aware, DTC buses have this system of making a mark on the ticket noting where the holder got on to the bus and where he plans to get off. Now this is really important because if the ticket checkers get on to the bus, and you are caught with a wrong ticket, well be ready to shelve away 200 bucks!
So for the next 45 mins I observed people getting on to the bus, getting their tickets, collecting the change and searching for a seat. The conductor would often crib when the passengers dint give change, but the passengers were often helpless in this case.
So after 45 mins of repeated action, Dhaula kuan came.
BUS 3:
my next bus ride is pathetic! Duration is more than 1 hour 15 mins, at the 1st bus stop itself the bus gets full, mine is the 5th bus stop so you can imagine, its full of men..stinking! and the bus has to get stuck in jam and atleast 4 main spots! Am talking about Dhaula Kuan to Gurgaon.
Today also when I saw the bus, it gave me an adrenaline rush, not because I was excited but because there was no spare seat in the bus, and so I had to make sure I make my way from back to front and get the place to stand near the window, where there is minimum contact with the sweaty men :p and I managed to get the place. The next one and half hour was unexpectedly super exciting today.
Incident 1: We had DTC ticket checkers getting onto the bus. They checked everyone’s ticket and found a guy who did not have a ticket. What followed were a series of explanations that were by the way so lame that it was obvious that the guy was lying. So he cried, pleaded, and even tried to jump out of the moving bus, but when the ticket-checkers are in the bus, absolutely nothing works! And the guy ended up being bet, paid a fine of 200 bucks and we ended up being late! (hmph)
Incident 2: Not every lady gets a seat, obviously! Not every man gets a seat (Even more obvious). So, it so happened that there was a lady standing next to a seat and a guy was trying to make his way from front to the back side of the bus because he needed to buy his ticket and no one was really ready to do it for him. So he made his way and his bad luck- he touched the lady standing there. Oh! That created one hell of a scene. Turned out that lady was a lady in terms of miss-touch-me-not but not a lady in terms of sophistication. She abused him like a guy, and cribbed like a woman. She shouted like a man, she wailed like a woman. She fought like a man and taunted like a woman. She threatened to call the police, argued, fought, called him names, and threatened him with all force. That carried on for another twenty mins as we crossed mahipalpur. That lady.. I can never forget!
Incident 3: As we reached the last bus stop before the toll, there was a rush of passengers into the bus. Suddenly it actually felt sophisticated inside. Then I heard a woman fighting with someone. I thought it was the incident 2 lady again. But I turned out to be wrong. Then it turned out that this girl (not a lady) had been standing in the front and passed money to another guy standing and asked him to pass it to the conductor. That guy passed it to someone else, and that someone else to someone else. Though the money was expected to reach the conductor it ultimately didnt! And someone in that chain had gotten off with the money at the bus stop (LOL). The girl ended up fighting with the conductor which I still fail to understand why!
Incident 4: yea this is the final one. There is a very fine saying—every dog has his day. After seeing so many stupid people, who would just fight/shout/and look idiots, now came my turn. As we crossed toll, and saw the jam in front of Ambience mall, I heard someone yelling at the driver asking him to take the bus from above the flyover rather than under. Now my office is under the flyover and I ended up in panic mode. A) I don’t know the ways around Gurgaon B) I was getting super late C) I felt unwell D) it was hot! E) the flyover ends way after my office.
So while that guy yelled asking the driver to take it from above, I decided to pioneer the fight of taking it under the flyover. As he shouted, so did I. a point came when we both were shouting. (:P) finally the driver took it from under the flyover and I was glad-turned out he dint do it for me, but because that’s the general route and he doesn’t have the authority to change routes. But I was glad atleast I did my bit for red alert ;)
And with that I reached office, and hopefully ill have a peaceful way back. By the way, I was so observant today because my office mate Anjali had my earphones!
Friday, June 4, 2010
real incident
It was a peaceful and hot evening. Residents of east of kailash B block had just finished their dinner. They aren’t oblivious to the fact that delh is a crime place, but that a theft could happen in their neighbourhood seemed like a very unlikely fact, but it did. On the eve of 3rd may 2010, one of the houses were broken into by 2 men at around 10pm. Their motive was to steal and they entered the house from the back door. However, what they dint think was that they’ll be caught. One of them managed to run away with the meter but the 2nd one was caught.
He was caught, and beaten. Beaten till he begged for mercy, but with no mercy. This happened to be the scene at the house next to my door. I observed from my balcony, clicking and capturing the emotions everyone present at the scene exhibited. The convict maintained that he was not there with the motive of stealing and just happened to be present when the guy who came to break in ran away. He reiterated that he was merely in the shadows as he indulged in drinks. The residents maintained that no alcohol was found and infact the convict was caught inside the house and not outside.
Nevertheless, the way it went ahead was very expected. The neighbours gathered in swarms, and whoever came asked for the story again and again. Ladies were out in nighties draped with a dupatta, kids were out in shorts, boys with cellphone, I with camera. The ladies discussed, while kids seemed quite excited. The men were more serious and as an when they came they beat the convict atleast once.
The colony’s guards were also present but nothing concrete came of the convict even after being bet up like a dog.
Finally, he was handed over to the police, and the meter hasn’t been recovered, neither is there any information about the 1st guy. But it was definitely a night of action!
He was caught, and beaten. Beaten till he begged for mercy, but with no mercy. This happened to be the scene at the house next to my door. I observed from my balcony, clicking and capturing the emotions everyone present at the scene exhibited. The convict maintained that he was not there with the motive of stealing and just happened to be present when the guy who came to break in ran away. He reiterated that he was merely in the shadows as he indulged in drinks. The residents maintained that no alcohol was found and infact the convict was caught inside the house and not outside.
Nevertheless, the way it went ahead was very expected. The neighbours gathered in swarms, and whoever came asked for the story again and again. Ladies were out in nighties draped with a dupatta, kids were out in shorts, boys with cellphone, I with camera. The ladies discussed, while kids seemed quite excited. The men were more serious and as an when they came they beat the convict atleast once.
The colony’s guards were also present but nothing concrete came of the convict even after being bet up like a dog.
Finally, he was handed over to the police, and the meter hasn’t been recovered, neither is there any information about the 1st guy. But it was definitely a night of action!
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