Book Review - The 3 mistakes of my life

Book Review

The 3 mistakes of my life - Third book of Chetan Bhagat.  

What I liked most was the fact that Chetan Bhagat has narrated the story in a way that almost looks like an auto-biography with the author himself getting involved in the story.  This style definitely increases the credibility of the story.   

The story revolves around 3 boys who are good friends and their all-encompassing passion with the national hobby – cricket.  They recognize a great talent in a small boy who has the potential to become a national hero.  It is now their common desire to help and protect this young kid to help achieve this goal. 

Based in Ahmedabad and set in the background of Godhra Violence, this story depicts the way emotions and allegiances change in turbulent and violent times.  How people go mad with religious sentiments to shed lives that they have never thought of before.   It brings the worst out of humanity with people killing their own !!

A tale of continuous struggles of these young and budding entrepreneurs and cricketers from a small town and meagre means who have talent to make it big.  Mix it with a little emotional tangle and love, caste and religious differences which pop up even amongst close friends who would have otherwise laid down their life for each other.  

Overall a very easy read, written in simple language so everyone can understand with the usual masala’s to make an Indian reader tick. 

Rating : 3/5  

Feeding the Feathered Friends

I think i've missed this spectacle at this intersection earlier in my commutes but recently when I was crossing this place I saw a huge flock of pigeons flying around.

In a tiny little triangular land wedged on the end of Malak Ram Issar Marg between the busy traffic square of Pamposh Enclave and Chittaranjan Park also called as C R Park, I saw hundreds of pigeons gathered and flocking around people feeding them.

There were 2 or 3 sellers sitting at each corners of this triangular median with grains for people to buy and feed these birds.

It was delightful to see so many pigeons gathering up and scampering towards the people who were throwing out corns and other grains at them.  They looked quite content and peaceful.

It was a pleasant sight and nice to see people feeding birds but there are very differing views on bird feeding.  Some people do these out of religious sentiments and some for their emotional and spiritual gratification.  It is supposed to bring good luck and success according to some religious and astrological views.

However, environmentalists and ecologists are of the opinion that this is harmful to the natural eco system and only promotes the birds to lose their natural instinct to prey and survive.  The population of pigeons in the city therefore increases to a larger proportion than it ought to be.  Since they are fed on only grains day in and day out, they lose on important nutrition from other sources that are very essential for their survival.

Nehru Place - The IT Hub of Delhi

If you are a computer geek, then you definitely can’t miss being in the middle of all the cacophony of Nehru Place.   From a high end computer and laptop to any computer or mobile accessory, you can find solutions from company owned retail outlet to distributors to shady underhand pirated and cheap illegal stuff.  In short, there is a solution to everyone.

As we approach Nehru Place from the South side of Delhi,  we start seeing the high-rises of Nehru Place from the overbridge that starts from Sarovar Portico in Pamposh Enclave.   

Nehru Place is a cluster of old buildings with outdated lifts and outdated structures which houses some corporates and business houses.   

In the middle of these huge structures is one of the most happening  central plaza where you can find shops selling computers and mobiles, stationery items, computer accessories, printouts and photocopies, banks punctuated by some food joints and other facilities for people working around this place.   

In the central arcade, we can find all sorts of small vendors with their different kinds of wares from belts, purses, bags, computer and mobile accessories, clothes and fabric items.

It was a pleasant surprise to find a section of the market dedicated now to garments and fabrics. There are more varied set of consumers who would be flocking to Nehru Place. As a woman, I used to find Nehru Place quite boring with only computer stuffs, but now there is more to look forward to during a trip to Nehru Place!

Nehru Place is now beginning to be more than just an IT hub.  It has multiple other options like Cafe Coffe Day, Epicuria food court and Fitness First gym giving multiple options and products for consumers to experience and shop.

There are big buildings of Microsoft with multiple hotels around Nehru Place.

A metro station with a full fledged food court has also come up at the other end which has made commuting to this hub quite an easy task for people working and shopping here.

For other tourist attractions in Delhi, visit my blogs on Zafar Mahal,  Qutub Minar, Humayun's Tomb, Safdarjung's Tomb, Lodhi Gardens,  Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, Lotus Temple

What is the significance of Banana Flowers and Leafs in Tamil Weddings

I was on my way back from the morning walk today when I saw the Vaikunthnathji Temple near my house decorated with different colours and kinds of flowers.   It was a beautiful sight to behold.  I know that Tamil and Malayalam Hindu weddings takes place in the morning, so I guessed that there might be a wedding scheduled there.

What also captured my attention was that there were 2 bunches of bananas along with their flower at the tip hanging beautifully adorning the entrance of the Temple along with the other flowers and the decorations.

I tried googling for an answer -  what is the significance of having a banana flower in Tamil weddings. I got this answer in Quora given by C (Selva) R.Selvakumar which I am reproducing here as it is :

It symbolizes 'eternal' life'. The banana (plantain)  plants,  known in Tamil as  vāḻai (வாழை),  produce baby plants (apparently invariably) and thus symbolizes the unfailing succession of offspring, generation after generation. The Tamil phrase used in belssing, 'vāḻaiyaṭi vāḻai' (வாழையடி வாழை) literally means like a baby plant by the side of a banana plant - symbolizing the eternal succession of offspring. The very word for the plant vāḻai, (வாழை)  means life ('ever-living-life').  Hence very auspicious.  The word vāḻ  (வாழ்) means 'to live'. The word vāḻai (வாழை) means that which lives (for ever).

If there is anyone else with some other answers to this question, do reply or add in your comment below!

Thank You Stranger, my belief in humanity is still Intact because of you!

It was just yesterday evening when I was getting back home from office. I got down from the auto and tried crossing the busy street to get into my colony near the Vaikunthnathji Temple at Bersarai.

The road that goes to Vasant Kunj through Bersarai is always a very busy one!  Especially in the evening when people are coming back from their offices, there is a continuous flow of vehicles on that road.  So, yesterday as usual, I somehow maneuvered half the stretch because there is a traffic light just behind.   And during the red light phase as some vehicles were held up there, I darted out before the freeway guys came rushing past.  Now I was in the middle of the road and standing on the divider.  It was the second road leading to the traffic light I had to cross that was on a continuous haul.

As I was waiting there, I saw a car slowing down right before me and I thought that this is my big chance.  I started to cross but soon realised that I would not be able to, as the car seemed to be in a hurry and  I backed up to let it go.  I kept looking at that car that passed me probably with a forlorn eye.  I heard some honking sound as I stood there and I jerked my head around to see the driver in the car that was coming right behind was waiting and honking at me frantically.  I was scared.  I thought I had done something wrong and took a step back.

Then I saw the guy who was driving that black car agitatedly waving his hand to say I should cross the road.  I looked across the car and saw cars coming at full speed from all around.  I knew that even if I cross his car, I will get stuck in the middle of the road.  So, I waved back at him to tell him he should keep going as I could not cross.  After sometime when I crossed the road and got into my colony, I realized I had a very happy sensation about me.  I don’t remember the face of the person in the car, nor the make of the car.  I just remember that it was a black car probably going to Vasant Kunj.   But it made me happy.  I was also equally sad that I could not even say a thank you to that person by way of gesture.  Everything had happened so suddenly.

On Delhi roads, this kind of a gesture is rare or rather unheard of!  Every one is dashing through and wants to get to their destination as quickly as possible.  Nobody wants to wait and there is no consideration for another person either.

I was happy that a person was ready to wait for another person to cross the road.   It was a very small thing but that realization and happy feeling was with me for a long time.  And I felt that all is not lost still.   Spreading happiness doesn’t cost you anything.  A simple smile and a simple gesture is enough!

Through this blog, I hope to reach that stranger and say Thank You!.   Even if I could not say anything at that moment, I have wished him well in my heart.  Whoever you are, wherever you are - the dark Knight in shining armor -  Do well, be blessed and lead a wonderful life!

The story of Indian Chai

There are many rituals that we perform during the day.   A ritual is something that we have become so habituated in doing that we do it without giving a second thought.  It becomes a part and parcel of ourselves or that moment.   These rituals become a kind of comfort factor and help us to be rooted to who we are, where we are and where we belong.  It brings a sense of belongingness to the place, the moment and the space we are in.   Consuming tea in India has also become a kind of ritual. It has taken that space of mindlessness and comfort that one can’t live without.

In India, tea is consumed at various occasions and for various reasons, or rather there is particularly no reason required for having tea in India!”

Starting from the one morning cup that wakes us up to the time we go to bed, it is an anytime and everytime beverage that gets devoured if we are feeling bored, if we have too much work, if we are tired or if we are feeling lazy!

On a cloudy or rainy day, a hot cup of tea with some pakora’s is something that everyone looks forward to..  Getting a hot cup of chai in bed early morning while we are still snuggling in the quilt is the most welcoming thing on a cold winter day.

If we have friends over at home, then we show our love to them with a hot cup of tea and snacks.  If we have friends in office and want to go out for a chat, it has to be over a cup of tea!!  Even marriages gets finalized over a cup of tea!

We need a hot cup when we reach office to start the day!  It is also one of the main ingredients of our various meetings and discussions.   The kind of tea or chai we get at our home, office and outside is all very different in flavour, aroma and strength of the tea leaves.  The office tea that comes out of the vending machines don't have the kind of flavour or aroma that a home-made one, boiled on a stove has or the one that is brewed continuously over and over again by the roadside vendor.  To cater to the ever-present need, there are chai walla’s at every nook and corner of the country.

Chai is prescribed by most self-styled Indian doctors like a Panacea for all ills and moods.  A tea is recommended,  if we have a headache, stomach problems, cold and cough, etc.

From North to the South, West to the east, the chai is consumed in various ways with a lot of different infusions to it.  Some of the favourite infusions that Indians love is Masala Chai, Adrak ki chai (Ginger Tea), Elaichi Chai (Cardamom Tea), Tulsi Tea (Basil tea).

These days Green tea is becoming popular as a health drink too.  From slimming to anti-ageing, there are all sorts of stories surrounding green tea that are becoming a fad!

Whatever it is, we Indians love our chai and would be consuming it whether it is going to be good or bad for our health..  that’s how it has become part of our daily ritual!

Tree of Life or Tree of Enlightenment?

This is one of the most revered and worshipped trees in India!  One can find this tree spread across the length and breadth of India.   In almost all the villages, there would be a platform made under this tree for people to sit and spend sometime in the shade before proceeding on their journey.   In Delhi, I have seen this tree attached to a temple or vice-versa.   If it’s not a huge temple, then atleast there would be a few photographs or idols of different Hindu diety kept under the foot of the tree.  People worship this tree to get success, removal of fear from devils and supernatural powers, to be happy, etc. etc.

In Hindu mythology, Krishna is said to be residing in this tree.  He is also supposed to have  laid down his life under this tree .  It is also said that the Trimurti, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva reside in this tree – Brahma in the roots, Vishnu in the trunk and Shiva in the leaves.   Lakshmi is also said to be visiting this tree on Saturdays.   Ladies tie threads around the tree and go around this tree worshipping for husband’s long life and even to be blessed with children.

The tree is also considered sacred for Buddhists as Lord Buddha attained his enlightenment while meditating under this tree and therefore it is also called the tree of enlightenment.

Scientifically, this tree is considered to be of huge medicinal value.  It is supposed to cure more than 30 ailments.  Its, roots, barks, trunk, fruits, seeds, milk and leaves are all considered to provide relief for various health conditions.

It is also said (though not a proven theory) that this is the only tree that gives out oxygen even at night!  It is called by many names – Peepal, Pippla, Bodhi, Ashwatha, Banyan, Ficus religiosa and many more!

I love the shape of the leaves.  They are beautiful heart shaped ones with a long tapering end.  It has been an inspiration for various art forms in India.  Most of them are very old and have roots falling to the ground from above.  It sometimes has a very scary and haunted look to it.

There is a peepal tree right next to our building and strangely I have been noticing some egrets perched up on this tree for the last couple of days.  I've noticed quite a few of them come and nestle around its branches almost every day when I went out for a walk around the place.  I was intrigued and looked around to see if they were inhabiting other trees also, but they seemed to be interested in occupying their space on this tree only.  Do they also intrinsically recognise this is a sacred tree or is there some other reason, I wonder?