Globally China

A fleeting look, a bare minimum stare and it dawns that almost everything around me has one particular fact in common. From the pen that is in my hand as I write this blog to the computer that I will type it in, there is one binding factor: “Made in China”.
From my earliest memories, the only thing Chinese available in my city was ‘Chinese food’. Well, Kolkata’s pavements are dotted with stalls and eateries selling ‘Chinese’ dishes. From the taste buds it has slowly but steadily migrated to every sphere of our lives; the food now comes with a regional blend.
Making good use of her ever-burgeoning population, scarcity of jobs and availability of cheap labour, China has today placed herself in an irreplaceable position. Low cost and easy availability has made Chinese goods an instant hit and a first choice among almost all. Their goods and goodies come in every form thinkable- from batteries to toys, combs to perfumes and mobile phones to computers. To think of it, the little or no impact this recent economic downturn had on China, speaks volumes about her stable economy.
Sitting pretty on top of global exports, China seems to mock at everyone around, “Love me, hate me… You cannot do without me.” And very rightly so; half the globe is slowly sucking up to China. This Chinese invasion has left me wandering, “If God actually made everything, is He Chinese?”

Beautiful You

I look through the window
And see in the skies
The vividness of your beautiful eyes!

I gaze at the shores
And the sparkles chase
The splendour of your beautiful face!

I look at the seas
And as the waves rip
I see the camber of your beautiful lip!

I listen to the birds
And as they rejoice
I feel the melody of your beautiful voice!

I see the moon
And every once in a while
It reminds me of your beautiful smile!

I listen to the breeze
And the storms in the sky
I hear the soul in me shake and sigh

Because you are so lovely
And beautiful too
I dedicate these beautiful words to you!

Let There Be Night

The setting sun throws out its light
Lonely rays in the fading blue,
From golden to orange through the day
Ending in an amber hue!

The birds fly their journey back
Their chirps fill up the evening sky,
Silhouetted against the melting light
In streaks, they fly by!

As the Sun turns the bend,
The medley of colours reaches its end.
It is black and dark everywhere
Finally the day has ended here!

The moon takes its place in the sky
With stars for company, twinkling close by.
A mild chill sets up the night
Bathed in a brilliant light!

Silence settles leaving no room
Down descends the pallor of gloom,
Settling thoughts in dwindling light
Minds make peace with the night!

O Lovely night! O Lively night!
You are a wonder and true delight
Your darkness is truly black and bold
You are an enigma to behold!!

Pen Dry

It has been four days and I am still searching...searching for that elusive topic. There is so much happening everywhere, all around and yet my eyes fail to take note, my mind fails to witness those scenes.

So finally out of topics, I have decided to write on my quest for the same. Personally, I believe that for an article to be prepared there must be a handful of correctly functioning senses. The eyes must take note, the mind must be at ease and the hands must be eager to write and these three ‘senses’ must be in complete sync.

And on occasions such as these when coherence does not prevail, it is difficult even to come up with apt words.

Still trudging along at a weary pace, I hope to come up with something very soon- as soon as the tempest raging in me dies down. But till then, the pen will be dry.

To Be or Not To Be

At one point of time it seemed that the whole world had ganged up against me to prevent me from seeing a movie which had touched the heart of every person, young and old alike. I, on my part, overcame unforeseen circumstances, false promises and ridiculous stretches of imagination to finally make time for “3 idiots”. It has been a month since the release. The reviews are out. The verdict has been pronounced. This is neither of the two; it is just a personal opinion rather reaction, although delayed.

The contrasting roles essayed make every character in the movie equally important. The silly pranks, witty one-liners, chancy adventures, unbreakable friendships, ‘Mr. Nerd vs. Mr. Cool’ duels and the ultimate love story are reminiscent of the days of yore. I guess everybody went back in time to their college days in course of that movie.

What struck me most was the selflessness portrayed by the lead character. It is a rarity in today’s world, if not impossible, to find someone who is truly the character portrayed. And quite likely, he was grossly misunderstood. The irony lay in the fact that nobody was there for him when he was in need.

The movie provides wholesome entertainment; it can even make the dead laugh out loud but somewhere deep inside it awakens a much desired sense of self-belief. The saying rings out loud “To heed the urging inner voice, do not wait for destiny, make your choice.”

There is one question though that still beats me, “To be or not to be... an Idiot?”

Eyes Spies

The fading memories of those “first days” in life are something I try to cling on to. But time does take its toll. As the pictures get bleaker with every passing day, I can only let my mind wander back in time to keep the memories afresh.
It is one of the fantasies of every man to go back in time and relive his childhood. Most of us nurture this dream. Personally, had I been given a chance I would surely ask God to grant me the power to turn the clock of my life backwards.
The first day in school, the cry before letting go of mother’s safe hands and stepping into an unknown world with people as tall (read: short) as me for company, tears swelling up in eyes all around and a sense of helplessness – those memories are reminiscent of a bygone time which has secured its place in the pages of my mind. Even though time has moved on and the mind has aged, the sense of helplessness still prevails. The fear of the unknown still haunts. The mind still seeks company of those safe pair of hands. Eyes still swell up but tears have dried out.

I want to go back in time
When getting “high” meant on a “swing”
When “drinking” meant “apple juice”
When “love” was “mom’s hug”
When “dad’s shoulder” was the “highest place on Earth”
When your siblings were your “biggest enemies”
When the only thing that could “hurt” were “skinned knees”
When the only thing “broken” were your “toys”
And
When “goodbyes” meant “till tomorrow”
I want to go back in time!

Goodbye Gunners!

Over the last few days, expectations had sky-rocketed. The John Terry saga, with all its downbeat publicity and bad press, had to take its toll on the Blues - this is what the Arsenal fans had thought, expected or prayed for. And with this belief they came to storm the Bridge. Perhaps they did not know that negativity is a refining fire. Welcome to Stamford Bridge - the impregnable bastion of the football world!
What had promised to be a turning point of this year’s Premier League race turned out to be a rather meek submission on the part of the Gunners! The pre-match hype about Arsenal’s talented youth brigade was quickly put to rest by the Chelsea talisman, Didier Drogba. With his acute predatory instincts, this tormentor – in – prime of Arsenal weaved his magic past the hapless Arsenal marshals. With the Gunners defence in shambles and a pressing Chelsea attack, the score line read 2-0 in favour of the Blues even before the seats had warmed up enough.
Much to the surprise of the distraught “Gooners”, it was John Terry who rose to the occasion and every time the Gunners tried to attack, their guns fired blanks.
Yesterdays’ London derby brought smiles back to the faces of the Blues and faded them on those of the Gunners. For the sixth year in succession, Arsenal retire out of the EPL race and they can now do nothing much but remain magnanimous in defeat. For Chelsea, hope floats!