Conversation with a school friend

School days were the most memorable days of my life. Still miss them a lot. All my best buddies are from school. Even though we are miles apart but we don’t have any inhibitions while connecting with each other at any given point of time.  We are ready to lend our support to each other at any time. 

Facebook has played a vital role is getting us stay connected with each, most of my friends are on FB. Today Sharique pinged on FB after a long time. Things started with normal conversation but then it progressed to our school days and the mischief's we used to do in school. A chat which started with just a “hi” went on to our professional challenges then to our personal life’s. How this transition happened is still a mystery for us? Even in school also we never spoke so much than we did today.

We chatted for close to an hour on FB then I requested for his contact number to give him a call. We signed off our chat on FB as longtime buddies willing to get connected soon depending upon our availability. I called him a little late and we spoke for 30 mins, it was better than the chat conversation. Constrains of chat were overcome through call and we spoke to our heart, which took us back to our school days one more time. We covered topics which we usually discuss with very close buddies or whom we know very well. 

Initially conversation was full of courtesy but once we got started courtesy took back seat and we got on to our school ways where we hardly called people by their names and called them by nick names. Both of us could identify the change in our personalities that have taken place over a period of time. It was for our betterment only. 

I didn't feel am talking to a stranger to whom I have not spoken since I left school, occasionally we used to ping each other on FB.  We can get connected with our school friends at given point of time, reason could be the innocence of the age and purity of soul.  

Thanks Sharique for making my day 

Finally was able to watch Mumbai Police

My wife wanted to watch “Mumbai Police”, she told me about it on Friday. I tried booking the tickets online but tickets were available only for the last shows. I was fine with it but my wife was reluctant to go for night show which would get over by 12 am. I called up a friend of mine who told me about a multiplex close to my house. I tried booking the ticket online but was not successful. Hence decided to reach their in person and take the ticket for the show.

This multiplex was about 6 km from my house but it was pretty difficult for me to locate the place as some construction work was going on near the place. With much struggle I was able to locate the multiplex. But our happiness was short lived when we came to know that tickets are available only for night show as evening show had begun an hour ago.  We checked the timings of the show for the next day and left the place. Show timings were for evening and night show.  We decided to go for evening show on Sunday.

Sunday we reached there for evening show to discover that show timings were changed and tickets are available only for night show.  We had lost our patience by now and wanted to watch the movie at any cost. Hence decided to watch the movie for night show. We came back home again reached the  multiplex at 8.45 pm. Before leaving home me and my wife we decided that looking at the audience presence we would decide whether to watch the movie or not. We wanted the participation of female audience for the show, otherwise it would have been pretty difficult for us.

Luckily good number of people turned out for the movie and we proceed towards the ticket counter. Got the ticket and went inside. Occupancy was less as it was the 4th week since the movie was released. Before the show could begin, a couple occupied seat in the row ahead of us with a small kid. We looked at each and said that’s it, even after struggling so much we may not be able to watch the movie if the child screams in between, which was unavoidable.  Show started and ended on time.  The movie was good, I liked it and the child didn’t cry during the show. Seems like has been trained for it.

The movie got over by 12am and we out of the theatre. I took my bike out of the parking lot. There was hardly anybody on the streets except the audience from the movie which just got over. The drive back home was awesome, the road was clear with no vehicles and signals stopping us unusual thing seen in Bangalore. It was bit cold as well and we reached home in just 10 mins while going for the movie it took us 25 mins. But we enjoyed the drive and the movie, wanted to prolong the drive a bit but decided to do next time.

I know I took a hard decision to go for a night show on a Sunday, with Monday being a hectic day at work. But I feel it was worth it and am planning to watch more movies during night shows. 

An act of generosity or foolishness

Being kind / generous is good but other shouldn't take our act for granted and make mockery of it. Hers’s an incident I would like to share with you.

Last week me and my wife decided to use bus to go for shopping. We walked down to the bus stop and boarded a bus to our destination. My wife and me were lucky to get a place to sit immediately after boarding the bus. Usually it doesn't happen, one has to stand for quite sometime before he/she could get a place to sit. In some cases you get chance to sit a stop before your’s and its quite frustrating.

I saw couple of people standing around me. A  guy from next stop came and stood close to my seat. This is an indication for others that he will occupy the seat if anyone vacates the place, so hunt any other seat. Mine was the last stop so no worries. I was feeling pity for the boy but he can occupy the other seat next to me in case  he gets down before the last stop.

After 2 stops the person sitting next to me got down and the guy standing close my seat occupied the vacant place. This guy had just settled himself, when another guy came to this guy and said “ I am not feeling well, I want to sit down”. The guy sitting next to me got up and gave his seat to this guy, who was not well as per his statement. I didn’t feel he was not well by looking at him.

Post occupying the seat, this guy put his head on his bag to showcase he is not well. 2 mins after this he got an sms, he raised his head and was fine. Back to normal with no issues, sms chat, calling friends. From his conversation it appeared to me as if he was going for some party with friends. 5 mins before a person who was not able to stand was now talking to his friends as if nothing has happened. 

Once he had done with his call, he started talking to me and was enquiring about an address, which I helped him. Felt like asking him that “ aren't you ill now?”. Other guy who had offered his seat to this liar, had got a place to sit. I saw that guy. 

After this incident I don’t think I can ever trust a person who comes up to me asking to help because don’t know whether it is genuine or not. Had I been at the other guy’s place who had offered his seat, would have gone back and asked him to vacate the seat as he is not ill. I am sure he would't have vacated the place then told him not to tell such fake stories to innocent people as it may hurt their sentiment and they will never help anyone in future even in genuine cases.

A rare gesture not to be found these days

Can anyone say no to money in today’s competitive world? Nobody would do so but there are few people who do it and open path for others to follow as well. Something similar to it happened to me last me and I was influenced to write about it. A gesture rare to be found these days.

My office bag’s zip has some problem, despite my best attempt I was not able to lock it. It began on Monday, since I carry laptop was bit scared as the zip of that particular pouch had problem. The weather here is such that, it rains in evening most of the time. It rains at the time when people are about to leave office after a hectic day at work. I had no option but to carry the bag in that position till weekend and get the zip replaced or switch to a new bag. 

I have one more bag at home but not was comfortable with it so preferred to use the same bag and tried to escape rain as much as possible. Friday post office I took it to a bag repair shop close to my house to get the old zip replaced with new one.  I entered the small shop and asked him to replace the zip. He took the bag from me and fixed the problem in 5 mins with the help a plier. Then he handed the bag back to me and said it is fine now. 

I asked him the cost for fixing the problem to which he said, not required . I insisted again but he said no.  Without much option I left the shop but was wondering, how much such people can I find in today’s world who actually charges people for genuine reasons? Had I taken my bag to any other shop, shopkeeper would have told me, replace the zip, without even checking, if it can used further and charged royally. 

I was thinking what made him say ”NO” to his charge, his shop was not that big even that he could forego the charges. Because he has put his effort, even though little, work is work.  It reminded of an incident which happened to be me in a super speciality hospital. 

My wife was admitted to a hospital following severe stomach pain and post diagnosis doctors told , she need to be operated upon for the situation at the earliest.  I was out of town then, called up my relatives and told them not to proceed with the surgery till I reach. Once I reached hospital, I said no to surgery and took her back home after settling the bills. 

Post that I consulted one more doctor an expert, and he asked us “Who told you for surgery? Just drink water and have proper food, you will be fine. I was shocked. Had I gone with the words of the doctor then I would have duped myself of my money for a cause which was not required at all and the health of my wife as well.

People who are passionate about their work and have confidence on themselves will never dupe people, rather guide them in the right manner. People who are not confident about themselves always think about duping people and make money.

I salute the gesture of people who are honest to their profession and follows ethics in life.

My tussle with IRCTC tatkal booking

IRCTC has always been in center of controversy for its tatkal booking. As a result of which government has done lot of amendment to improve it for the benefit of the masses. Latest being Tatkal booking will be open to masses from 10am to 12pm (for online users), during this period agent will not entertained.

Sree wanted to book ticket for his hometown, he had already procured a bus ticket but wanted to try for train. He asked me if I could help him or not. I told him let me try because booking ticket for tatkal quota is a tough nut to crack.

Next day I logged to IRCTC at 9.45am wanted to keep the things ready and book it at the earliest, sree was trying from his end. We didn’t wanted to take any chance. I entered the date, location , quota and then pressed the search tab. All I could see was it trying to review information, a circular movement in screen. I waited for 15 min then I was logout of the page automatically stating “Timed out”.

Again logged in, this time I  was finding difficulty in location column, the website had become too slow by then. Somehow after 5 mins I was able to reach the option to book tickets and there were some 25 seats available by then. Immediately I click the book tab for taking me to the next page but again got stuck with the rotatory movement, which ended up in page timed out for the second time.

Post that I tried to log in 3-4 times but circular motion was the only, thing which prominent on the screen than anything else. I made my last attempted since it was 11.20 am. This was I was able to clear all hurdles, just to find out that the confirmed tickets were sold out and waiting list was available. During all these me and sree were in constant touch with each other.

Finally he told I should have gone to the counter to procure tickets rather than wasting time in front of laptop trying to book ticket online.  I have never stood in queue to book tickets under tatkal quota but have heard people come a sleep overnight at stations to be the first in front of the booking window, when it opens up to booking next morning.

Though the current facility has benefitted masses to a great extent but something more prominent need to be for helping people who can’t make it to the railway stations.  

Wanted the same auto driver for my next ride

Auto ride in Bangalore is pretty expensive and often lead to verbal brats. Hence people try to avoid it as much as possible. But it doesn’t mean people don’t use autos to commute, they do it since they don’t have many choices in hand. 

Biggest problem with auto drivers here is that very rarely they will go by meter. In case the distance is short they won’t go or charge Rs 50/ whereas the minimum is Rs 25/. When you get out of auto, change is something they will never have, we end up paying more than the actual meter reading. Some auto drivers drive auto very rashly as they need to find another customer, such drives can lead to accidents at times.

Last week me and 2 of my colleagues we boarded an auto from Lavelle road to Lifestyle close to garuda mall. 2 auto guys declined to take us as the distance was short, then 3rd auto agreed to take us on meter, we were happy and got inside. At a signal where other auto drivers would have taken a quick turn, he waited for the signal to green and then proceed further. We were impressed by it and a feeling of safety engulfed us.

Soon one of my colleague pointed out that the auto driver is handicapped and praised his effort in driving the auto cautiously.We reached our destination, meter reading was 33 bugs, we handed over 50 bugs to him. To our surprise he handed us back 20 bugs, I bet nobody will ever come across such situations in Bangalore. Very rarely you will find auto divers like this man. 

We didn’t wanted to wave off 3 bugs, so we checked our bags to give him the change, we found it and gave it to him. We just wished one thing that whenever we hire auto next time, we should get an auto driver like this man, so that we have a peaceful mind post the ride.

Gifts from my secret Santa

Most organizations secret santa during Christmas, where in every employee of the organization will get a chit, which will contain his / her secret santa. They need to get a gift for that person during the duration of the game. The gift needs to be placed secretly, so that nobody finds it out, till the finale date.

In Summit office also we played this game of secret santa, 1^st day I got a key chain with a chocolate in the first half of the day, during the second half I got an idol of ganesh ji. People in office were like, lucky guy got 2 gifts on the same day. Even I was wondering who the person was. I knew one thing for sure, that this person knows me well.

I started looking out for my secret santa and the first clue was in the gift wrap, that person’s handwriting. Handwriting was good and the ink used was black, then what, I did a surprise visits to all the desk to check the handwriting and the ink. 5 people were shortlisted but it was difficult to pin point, so waited for the second gift to come.

2^nd gift was a chocolate and a lip balm, in whole office there was only I person who knew that I use lip balm and the brand preferred by me. I started checking his office notebook to verify my doubt, my doubt was kind of confirmed by now but still wanted to take a chance.

3^rd gift told the story it was he only, I got a pen and a thump ring. I don’t like pens with rubber grip, he was the only person who knew about it because I had spent one full day in getting a pen without rubber grip and had told him about it. The pen was without rubber grip.

I was happy that my secret was one of my colleague with whom I spent most of my time in office and we share the same cubicle as well. Before identifying his identity I used to discuss with him my doubts about my secret santa. He used to change his strategy accordingly in terms of placing the gift timings. He knew I have full doubt on him.

But his 4^th gift was beyond my imagination, it was a customized coffee mug. He took picture from my facebook account, selected some best, my family. That mug had pics of my full family, my parent and my wife. All office pals liked the gift and said this person knows you very well and has put in effort and time in gifting it to you.

My secret santa was Anirban, I will call it sheer luck that he got my name.