DEAR SACHIN, PLEASE GET OUT OF THE TEAM

Seeing Sachin Tendulkar struggling against the English gives me a sense of Déjà vu. It reminds of the last days of former Indian captain Saurav Ganguly in the Indian cricket team. He too was fighting an Englishman by the name of Greg Chappel—the then coach of the Indian team.

The only difference being that Ganguly was fighting Chappel from outside the team as he had been literally kicked out by the coach while Tendulkar is still in the team. And this is all because of the image and the aura Tendulkar has.

No one has the guts to keep him out of the team when he is not in form. That is just way we Indians are. We believe in idol worshipping and for us cricket is a religion and Tendulkar is our god. But sadly, thanks to the last several outings of the ‘god’ spread over many years, I am happy to say that I have become an atheist.

The voices are growing across the cricket playing nations demanding Tendulkar’s’ retirement and I am with them. He is almost 40, does not have the stamina, confidence and focus that is required to play cricket today. It’s not the 80’s or 90’ anymore, with the advent of T 20, even test matches today have become result oriented and are exciting to watch.

Tendulkar averages 25 in the last nine test matches in 2012. Apart from a 76 in Kolkata in the last test match, he had not scored a 50 in the 10 innings prior to that.

All his peers have retired long back because of similar reason. But no, the ‘god’ won’t do it on his own and he knows that no one will ask him as well.

More important is the fact that youngsters who are warming the bench because of him are losing precious time to hone their skills. Talented youngsters like Ajinkya Rahane, Manish Tiwari have been reduced to water boys for the team.

Why can’t we Indian retire gracefully? Why do we have to be pushed out? There is a saying “quit while you are ahead’, its high time for Tendulkar to bid adieu to the game.

Surprisingly, Tendulkar was more than happy to retire from T 20 cricket when it came to the national team but not the IPL. Why? Simply because of money.

Tendulkar know that the day he leaves Team India, the endorsements are and multi-billion sponsorships are gone. So, to hell with the future of youngsters he will fill his coffers.

There was a time when for me too Tendulkar was god. The thought of an Indian team without him gave me the jitters. But I guess the Indian team today can easily play and win without him.

In a blog written many months ago on the crisis between Ganguly and Chappel, I had the same views that Ganguly should leave with his head held high as he had achieved a lot and had a glorious career.

Similarly, Tendulkar should quit. You have earned enough; name, fame and moolah and honestly you are doing more harm than good to the team.

P.S. Virat Kohli had said after the Indian team lifted the world cup that it was a tribute to Tendulkar for his years of service to the team. Well Tendulkar should have respected that sentiment and if not then should have retired after he hit his 100 hundreds in March this year gracefully. What more does he want?

WHY NOT MAKE REAR FOG LAMPS MANDATORY?

This is an issue that has been perturbing since a long time and sadly there have been no major developments that would calm my nerves in the past many years. It’s the issue of rear fog lamps.

With the winters setting in, I think rear fog lamps are perhaps one of the most needed equipment in any vehicle be it a car, truck, scooter etc.

Now my friends from south India may not share the same sentiment but at least in all of northern India like Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand etc., the dense fog, year after year, wreaks havoc especially on the motorists.

Be it early morning or night driving, fog is your worst enemy on the road in winters and every year several motorists, passengers and even pedestrians lose their lives because of this.

Now what irritates me is that why can’t the government formulate a stringent policy on cars having rear fog lamps at least, those sold in north India, the way it was made mandatory for four-wheeler drivers to wear seatbelts or helmets for two-wheeler drivers.

And why can’t car makers on their own do this? I know many cars have rear fog lamps but why can’t all of them have it?

Moreover, there is an idiotic trend that I have observed the top variant of a model will have a fog lamp but not its poorer base variant. For example: Maruti Suzuki Swift, Mahindra Xylo etc.

Now I wonder what the logic behind this is. Does a Swift Ldi/Lx has a Titanium boot covered with Kevlar??? Does it not deserve to be protected with a 100 rupees lamp because the owner won’t shell out that extra cash for some alloys or sunroof?

I personally drive an ANHC that was launched in 2009. In its tail lamp assembly there was an enclosure for a fog lamp but no bulb in it. Why? How much a pair of bulbs would cost you Honda? On top of it, the recent facelift has left the city without any rear fog lamps. Bravo Honda.

I am a Delhiite and I used to travel on the Delhi-Gurgaon and Delhi-Noida expressways often last year and trust me, driving in that thick fog was like hell.

On top of it several drivers would have their blinkers on—another idiotic trend which is a nuisance but people are comfortable with it. Surprisingly, even the Delhi Traffic Police in one of its advisories on facebook last winter had written: “Thick fog, drive with blinkers on.”

And so many people slammed them for their lack of knowledge and spreading wrong information. The advisory was removed from the site after a few hours.

Finally, I would end this post with another IDIOTIC TREND – that of car makers putting those silly LED daytime running lamps which frankly speaking are there only for cosmetic purposes.

DRL’s are required in Nordic countries where sometimes the afternoons are dark. But in an attempt to ape the west and just to look cool, these lights are becoming so popular that Philips has introduced DRL strips in the market.

I just read on Autocar India’s website that the i20’s top versions would be getting these LED daytime running lights. Common sense is so uncommon.

REMEMBERING THE CONNAUGHT PLACE FLOWER MARKET

Last week, I was driving down Baba Khadak Singh road early in the morning and as I passed the Hanuman Mandir I gazed upon the vacant space that was once home to a wholesale flower market in the heart of the city. Until, it was shifted to Ghazipur earlier this year.

So, I dug deep and retrieved this piece that I had written in 2010, remembering those good old days when every morning that half a kilometer stretch of tarmac was an ecstasy for the senses—with God on one side and colourful, fragrant flowers on the other—both complementing each other beautifully.

The fragrance of roses and rajnigandha fill the air as temple bells ring in the background. A trip to the flower market in Connaught Place is an overwhelming experience for the senses, with the pavement sellers doing business worth lakhs of rupees every month.

The Hanuman Temple flower market commences business at around 5 a.m. and closes at 9 a.m. It is India's biggest wholesale cut-flower market and has been around for 20 years, claim shopkeepers.

Sellers set up temporary stalls outside the Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC) coffee house, put up for sale of flowers (fake and fresh), ferns, decoration items, beautiful bouquet baskets et al.

According to the shopkeepers, there are over 200 varieties of flowers in the market.

Kiosks selling coloured sprays, ribbons, decorative tapes, fancy wrapping papers, scissors and other things complement the flowers.

The market exports flowers worth lakhs of rupees every month worldwide especially to countries like Russia, Holland, Japan, Bangladesh, Pakistan.

Apart from the wholesalers, the market was thronged by several Delhiites hunting for a bargain. A carnation which used to sell outside for Rs.15-20 could be bought there for a mere Rs.5 making the deal irresistible.

THE DEADLY CASE OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY!

I found the above picture doing the rounds on the internet. It symbolizes Sikh-Muslim unity in the wake of the a bloody tragedy that shook Sikhs in Oak Creek, Wisconsin when a redneck American entered a gurdwara and opened fire on the devotees killing six and gravely injuring three, including a police officer.

Wade Michael Page was wounded when a police officer shot him in the stomach but the FBI said he subsequently died from a self-inflicted gun shot wound to the head.

So, about this picture, I am all for Sikh-Muslim-Hindu-Christian-Jews-etc.-etc. unity but the fact remains that many Americans just do not know the difference between a Sikh or an Afghan. The beard and the 
turban is all that they see. For them the two are the same.

There are abundant cases post 9/11 where Sikhs were killed or racially abused by Americans because of mistaken identity. If they would have known the difference, I am sure many lives could have been saved.

The sad part is that even Hollywood or the American film industry is in a way adding fuel to the fire by not differentiating between the ethnic groups which are so different in their culture, language etc.

I can site two examples here. 

In the movie Iron Man 1 a Jehadi terrorist group kidnaps Tony Stark aka Robert Downey Jr. aka Iron Man and holds him captive in a cave in Afghanistan and surprisingly the Jehadi leader talks in Hindi or Urdu whatever. WTF??? No Afghan would ever talk in Hindi or Urdu. 

Secondly, in the popular TV show Scrubs I once saw an Indian Sikh portraying the character of a Turkish doctor. This ignorance is surely not bliss.

This clearly shows that they can't differentiate between an Irani, Iraqi, Afghan, Turkish or Indian.

However, to some extent they cannot be blamed completely because if you are walking down the road in downtown Pahar Ganj and you see a group of white backpackers, would you be able to tell, by just looking at them, who is a Britisher and who is a Russian? or for that matter a Chinese or Japanese. Absolutely Not!

But the fact is that the worst that can happen with a white here is that he may be fleeced by an auto-rickshaw driver or robbed—petty crimes-- but a Sikh who is understood to be an Irani or Afghani, from the land of Osama Bin Laden can have serious consequences.

And here lies the problem, instead of educating the west that Sikhs and Muslims are different, such pictures will further confuse them. But it has to be done in a way so that it doesn’t appear as if Sikhs are okay with Muslims being killed if in return their lives are spared.

Sikhs are brave, we all know and majority of Muslims are peace loving people. However, it does not justify someone getting killed because of a silly case of mistaken identity.

These pictures may look good on Facebook or the newspaper but will no way help the Sikhs.

However, on the flipside Page was no country side redneck chewing tobacco and playing the banjo. He was an army veteran and definitely knew that Sikhs are Indians.

He suffered from severe case of white supremacy, a neo-nazi he was. He played for a band called ‘End Apathy’ that in its songs warned the browns, blacks, Asians, Hispanics in short everyone who was not a white that “they all would have to pay for their sins.”
  

In a nutshell, he was a nutcase.

All said and done, there will be some who will argue that minorities should remain united and together but frankly, this is certainly not the way to go about it.

  

  

RAMZAN: FEASTING AFTER FASTING IN JAMA MASJID

Feasting after fasting from dawn to dusk, shopping for Eid or just catching up with friends, it’s that time of the year again when the old quarters of the city come to life during the holy month of Ramzan.

During the 30 day period that culminates in Eid, apart from the fasting, Muslims are required to pray and abstain from negative thoughts to purify the soul. The early morning meal before the fast is Sehri while iftar marks the end of the fast after sunset.

As important as it is to fast during Ramzan, it is equally important to have a nutritious and healthy diet before and after.

Specialties like Khajla, (round bread), Pheni, (spiral crusty cakes) and sheermaal (sweet buns, usually served with butter and jam) are prepared during Ramzan, providing the required energy without wreaking havoc on the digestive system.

Khajla and Pheni are made in desi ghee and soaked in hot milk overnight. At the time of consumption, sugar is added to it. Some also like to add dry fruits.

People usually go to bed after eating the sehri, so the meal should be light and digestable, therefore Khajla is a staple meal across several homes.

Apart from those fasting, there are several non-Muslims from across the city who throng the walled city every year during Ramzan for Khajla.

Markets around Jama Masjid, are all decked up and bustling with crowds. The excitement is palpable as you enter one of the many lanes leading to the 17th century historic mosque, decorated in yellow lights.

Post iftar, the markets and streets are abuzz with some out for shopping and dinner, while others to meet friends over a Banarasi paan.

Nearby popular eateries like Karim’s and Al-Jawahar restaurant do brisk business as families throng them for dinner while youngsters, especially those on a shoestring budget head to the several kiosks lined outside these restaurants, grilling all types of meats.

Mutton seekh kebabs, shammi kebabs, chicken tikkas, fried chicken etc. usually served with rumali rotis and with a generous amount of mint chutney, chopped onions and chaat masala, a meal for two at any of the dozen kiosks is just around Rs. 150.

For those having a sweet tooth, there are abundant shops and kiosks selling rabri faluda, kulfi, jalebi, phirni (kheer) or kesar, badam milk.

Apart from gorging on the succulent kebabs and spicy curries, shopping is another highlight during this period.

From Lucknowi Chikan suits to fancy sandals and imported cosmetics, women throng the several clothes, footwear and cosmetics shops in Chitli Kabar, Matia Mahal and Meena Bazaar.

 The men folk meanwhile, hunt for kurta pyjama/salwar kameez, skull caps and sandals, many of them preferring Ballimaran market.

THE DARK SIDE OF BODY BUILDING

Till a few months back, my 28-year-old neighbour was jubilant as his parents had finally gave him the nod for an inter-religious marriage. The wedding was in late 2012 and preparations were on full swing for the sagan which was scheduled to take place in July had to be postponed because the groom to be fell ill and had to hospitalized.

A week later while the doctors were still trying to diagnose the cause, he died… months away from his marriage.

The news left our neighbourhood shocked and the family traumatised. However, the only thing that overshadowed the young man’s death, was the cause—anabolic steroids used for body building.

Though, people spoke in hushed tones, it was clear that the deceased’s liver had been severely affected by the steroids taken over a period of six months as he wanted to impress his bride.

Sadly, according to experts, an ever-increasing number of physique-conscious boys and men are taking anabolic steroids to buff their bodies for several reasons like an aspiration to join showbiz or just to impress the other sex.

Having a toned body is a fad nowadays for youth and because of this, the number of youth taking supplements are on the rise, said a senior consultant at a prominent hospital in south Delhi.

Meanwhile, the premium as well as affordable gymnasiums around the city are leaving no stone unturned to promote these steroids due to the huge profits. The gyms are more than willing to provide the steroids if you have the money.

A popular gym in west Delhi suggested capsules, a box that would last around three weeks for Rs.5,000, which would "burn fat and turn them into muscles in a month's time."

Another gym in south Delhi suggested shakes that would increase stamina, resulting in longer workout sessions. Questions on side effects or withdrawal symptoms were simply ridiculed.

But are all people so dumb that they would risk their lives for some doley-sholey?

Well, in several cases especially involving teenagers, steroids are given by trainers in the garb of health supplements as they produce dramatic results. So, fake supplements mixed with steroids are promoted.

With good quality protein supplement priced anything between Rs.3,000 and 4,000 for a 2.5 kilo pack, the copy of that same product is available in the grey market for around Rs. 1,000. The huge margins of profit are more than even the gym fees.

The solution, experts feel, is to urgently spread awareness on the issue as not many who suffer due to steroid abuse come out in the open as it is embarrassing for many to admit that they wrecked their kidneys or liver with steroids because they wanted a muscular body.

MERE SHEHER KI GARMI

Har taraf hahakar hain, ki tapman 48 degree ke paar hain, sadke khaali, galiya sooni hain... woh kehte hain surya dev ka bhayankar prahar hain...

Bhari dopahar me sannata chaaya hain, aisi bhi kya garmi, yeh kyu mere sheher me curfew lagaya hain?

Chadha hame fitoor, socha kyu na ek muyana kara jaaye, kis tarah tapa rahi hain yeh garmi mere sheher ke aam aadmi ko, kyu na first hand experience kiya jaye...

Uthaya chaata paidal hi nikal pade hausle buland kar ke, itni bhi kya garmi ki log gharo me baithe hain darwaaze band dar ke?

Pohocha ghar ke paas hi ek garden me, ghadi me baj rahe the do, ek kone ke bench pe baitha tha ek joda, magan ek duje ki god me the woh...

Jaake poocha maine ki kyu bhai tumhe nahi lagti kya garmi, kya boodha kya bacha, sabke saamne faila rakhi hain besharmi?

Yuvak muskurate hue, ek ungli se ladki ke hoto ko sehlate hue bola... Bhai kaunsi garmi kahe  ki garmi... tum daro besharmi se, mujhe toh matlab meri jaan ke hoto ki narmi se.

Apna sa muh lekar hum waha se chal pade, paas waale bus stop pe jaa hue khade, aayi jo khatara si bas hum chadh gaye, garmi se hatash driver ki peeche waali seat pe pad gaye.

Tabhi nazar us driver pe padi... Gamcha paseene se geela, thakan dikh rahi thi shakal pe, kai ghanto se joh baitha tha us aag ugalte engine ke bagal me.

Naseehat di maine ki bhai sehat ka rakho dhyan, aisa bhi kya kaam itni garme me thoda toh kar lo aaraam.

Maathe ka paseena pochte hue driver bola... Sahab maana gamcha geela hain, gala sukha hain... lekin main kaise lu ek din ki bhi chutti , ghar pe mera bacha bhukha hain.

Hamare liye kya garmi ab toh aadat ho gayi hain kai saalo se, haaye garmi, uff garmi... toh bas shauk hain a/c me ghoomte un ameero aur laalo ke.

Zindagi ki kadwi sachai ko ugalte hue alvida kaha us driver ko, himmat jawab de gayi thi ab garmi me hum badhe apne ghar ko.

Bus stop se ghar ke raaste pe ek basti thi, chote se ghar ki khidki pe khadi ek chaar saal ki bachi thi.

Dekh apni saheliyo ko khidki se khelte hue, chilla chilla ke who ro rahi thi, darwaze ko bahar se kar band maa chaarpai pe so rai thi.

Poocha pados ki amma se, ki kyu yeh maa apne bache ko yuh tadpa rahi hain, kyu khelne nahi deti isse, kaahe rula rahi hain?

Aakho se mota chashma utaar ke amma boli, kaun maa apne bache ko rula ke sukhi hain...  yeh pagli pichli loo me ek bachha kho chuki hain.

  

   

  

A DIRTY PICTURE THAT CLEARED MY PERCEPTION

The first time I saw Vidya Balan was in a song ‘Kabhi Aana Tu Meri Gully’ by the Delhi based band Euphoria almost ten years ago. First, I wondered how such a ‘humble’ looking girl with a whitish complexion and a built that was on the heavier side could be the lead model in top band’s song.

But then going by the theme of the video of a love story in a typical Indian mohalla featuring the girl next door and a simpleton hardworking boy, I was somewhat pacified because she actually suited that character.

And soon she hit the big screen with Vidhu Vinod Chpra’s Parineeta in 2005 forcing me to sit up and take notice. Though I did not watch the movie but the teasers and the pre-release interviews were enough to give birth to strong disliking towards Balan.

Reason?

I couldn’t fathom the reasons behind her sudden appearance on the red carpet. I mean she wasn’t fair like Kareena Kapoor or had a figure like Priyanka Chopra. How could she get a film?

The first movie of hers’ that I saw was Lagey Raho Munnabhai and to be honest my disliking was gradually turning into hatred. I did not like the way she looked, talked, acted or danced.

Over the years as her career graph went north, so did my hatred. Finally it was after watching the 2009 movie ‘Paa’ that I decided that it was enough. Paa was a pathetic movie and defied any kind of logic.

Her portrayal of the character of the abla nari raising a child alone did not work for me and I decided not to watch any of her movies again.

That was until 2011 when the promos of The Dirty Picture came out. Though titillating for many I found them vulgar and joked with my friends that rather than seeing Balan dance in the rain I shall go to a village in Gurgaon and see the buffaloes bathing in a pond.

However, last Saturday I downloaded the movie for one of my colleagues and forgot to delete from my pen drive. So Monday being my weekly off I was watching the IPL highlight late Sunday night and around 2 a.m. I was done with watching TV and surfing the net.

In no mood of dozing off, I decided to watch a movie but had nothing new to watch. Then I remembered that The Dirty Picture was still in my pen drive and I don’t know what came over me but I decided to watch it.

Half an hour into the movie I could so relate to the character of Emran Hashmi’s – ABRAHAM who loathed Reshma aka Balan for the way she looked and what she did.

I would chuckle in joy whenever Hashmi ridiculed Balan especially when he said “Yeh Moti Banegi Heroine?” I was in splits.

But as the movie progressed I saw Reshma’s other side which had a very uncanny resemblance to 

Balan’s real life story.

A fat, whitish and average looking girl trying to make it big in the world of mainstream Indian cinema where without good looks, you could only end up playing the heroine’s best friend’s sister at best.

However, going by the preferences of Indians down south, who are dark skinned and like big boned girls, Reshma’s journey was a cakewalk when compared to Balan’s journey in Bollywood.

To make a mark in commercial films when competing with the likes of the Kareenas and Katreenas is no small achievement.

People like Balan are a beacon of hope for many average Indian women who look average, may wear a suit but have a modern perspective on things. They don’t starve themselves to death to attain that Zero figure bullshit. Balan proves to them that if they don’t want to they don’t have to.

I guess for so many years I was thinking what the people in Bollywood wanted me to think about the ideal Indian heroine. But screw you I say. Bring it on Balan, I am ready for more… much more.

P.S. Come to think of it, I relate to Hashmi’s charater even more now because when the movie began we were on the same side—Balan/Reshma haters but when the curtains came down, Abraham fell in love with her and me on the other hand became a strong admirer of her.    

   

AWARENESS AND EMPATHY CAN EMBOLDEN AUTISTIC PEOPLE

Whether an unreasonable airline denies them boarding or an inconsiderate doctor refuses examination, autistic people have been long facing unnecessary discrimination for no fault of theirs. Experts nonetheless believe that awareness and a little empathy are the only solutions that could improve the situation.

Worldwide, April 2 is celebrated as the World Autistic Awareness Day to highlight the need to help improve the lives of children and adults with Autism so that they can lead full and meaningful lives.

Autism is an incurable complex neurobiological condition that impacts communication, behaviour and social relationships, affecting 1 in 110 people, it has become the fastest growing global disorder.

According to experts -- Autism is an invisible condition that is an autistic person may not necessarily be on a wheel chair or on crutches so people don’t accommodate for the person. People tend to relate autism with rude behaviour and this is all because of lack of awareness.

The discrimination against autistic people is traumatising especially for the parents and there is an urgent need to spread awareness to demystify it.

As per a parent a dentist refused to check her autistic kid because she won’t sit still. The doctor neither had the time nor the patience so she was shown the door.

For 36-year-old Abha Singh, it was a harrowing experience last year when she decided to fly from Kolkata to Delhi with her autistic 13-year-old daughter.

He daughter was sitting on her seat and just flapping her arms. The next thing they know they were asked to get off the flight as her child was a potential risk to other passengers.

Its cases like these which add to the vow of the parents who are already reeling under the stress of raising an autistic child which can be quite draining both physically and mentally.

Worse there are parents who blame themselves for their child being autistic. But as per experts that’s not the right attitude and would damage both the parent as well as the child in the long run.

Instead, the best solution is to be well informed about the condition of a child and have realistic expectation.

INSIDE THE EXHILARATING KUTUMSAR CAVES OF CHHATTISGARH

Walking down the narrow, steep staircase in a rock crevice surrounded by dense foliage, a small iron door opened up to the pitch dark and intimidating Kutumsar caves. Considered as one of the longest caves in the world, the exhilarating journey which lasts for about an hour they are a must for those seeking an adrenaline rush.

Situated in the Kanger Valley National Park in Bastar which is around 350 kms from the capital Raipur, the caves have been named after the nearby village and are 40 feet deep and an amazing 4,500 feet in length.

The entrance of the cave is extremely narrow and big enough only to crawl through. However, a couple of feet down via the man-made iron staircase and the caves open up to be explored with the help of guides equipped with solar lanterns.

Once inside, the enigmatic setting will help you play out your Indiana Jones of Hardy Boys fantasies as you walk on the uneven and treacherous rocky surface thrilled by the fear of the unknown.

However, breathing in the damp air amidst pitch darkness and echoing sounds does make it a spooky adventure and a strict no-no for the faint hearted or claustrophobic.

As the torch light falls on the rocks around, mystifying and vivid stalactite and stalagmite formations on the roofs and walls are a visual treat powerful enough to trigger your imagination.

The natural patterns have formed over hundreds of years due to rain water percolating through small crevices in the rocks.

While a pattern on the roof may resemble goddess Durga another on the wall may look like an elephant or a peacock.

As you move ahead, small water pockets are inhabited by a unique species of fishes and frogs which as per the locals are genetically blind breeding in the dark depth as not even a single ray of sun penetrates inside.

There are several chambers inside the caves in all directions and in 2011 a new chamber believed to be 410 metres deep was discovered.

However, the guided tour passes through one main cave and venturing in the other chambers is prohibited and access in the main cave to is limited to a point owing to lack of oxygen.

At the very end of the main cave lies the naturally formed Shiva linga and every year on Maha Shivratri hordes of locals climb down to offer prayers.

According to local folklore, the caves were first discovered in 1951 by tribals who were hunting a porcupine and followed it inside the caves.

However, as per the official version, the caves were discovered around 1958 by geographer Shankar Prasad Tiwari.

A TRIP DOWN THE MEMORY LANE

I was surfing through my laptop last night and I came across this picture of my bike that I once owned. As I stared at it fond memories came rushing back and for a moment it seemed as if I was right there... back in those good old days with my gang of carefree friends and my beloved bike.

So, I decided to write a blog on how it all began, how I got my bike, friends and all those wonderful memories:

My romance with biking began in the year 2002 when I was in my 10^th standard. I desperately wanted a bike because I was in my teens and everyone around had one. Moreover, the funda that 'bikes attract babes' gave an adrenaline rush and sent the testosterone levels northwards.

But my bike had to be different because the Hero Honda CBZ and the Bajaj Pulsar, the two popular youth bikes were as common on Delhi roads as American soldiers in Afghanistan or Iran.

So I zeroed in on the freshly launched Hero Honda Karizma and at over 80,000 bucks -- its price tag would have burnt a huge hole in my father’s pocket.

But as I found out it wasn’t the money that would bother my parents but the bike itself as they were strictly against buying me any kind of two-wheeler considering them dangerous especially when being driven by a youth (remember the testosterone and adrenaline).

So the question of getting me a 223 cc bike with a top speed of around 110 kms was out of the picture.

And after days of endless read failed convincing, I had almost given up. However, as luck would have it one fine morning I was told that my wish had been granted.

I was ecstatic and so proud of my convincing skills. But my parents soon burst my bubble and I was told that they had agreed because when my mom came to wake me up that morning I was murmuring something about a bike in my sleep.

They got very emotional seeing my desperation and decided against their wishes.

Gratified I was but at the same time quite surprised because I knew I wanted a bike but never expected that I would get dreams about it.

So, on Sep 5^th, 2002 I got a spanking new Black Karizma—DL 9 SJ 8935—and the next couple of years were pure unadulterated fun.

Thanks to the bike and a friend, in just one month, I made as many as 10 new biker friends and we formed a gang and named it – ‘Hunting Attitude’. LOL.

Apart from the hilarious name we did indulge in some serious fun.

Like racing (the fastest I drove was 125 kmph on an empty stretch of road at 2 a.m.), long drives to Gurgaon and Noida malls, late night outings to several eating joints that remained open all night including a shack in Connaught place that served delicious Rajma Chawal and a Keema Paranthewala in Naraina.

There were early Sunday cricket matches in Buddha Jayanti Park and a hearty breakfast of Chole Bhature on the way back home.

In addition, ‘patrolling’ our neighbourhood streets everyday in search of pretty girls was a routine activity loved and enjoyed by all.

I discovered several ‘addas’ in our area in several nooks and crannies where we could savour delicious chicken rolls, maggi or just have a cigarette without being noticed by our parents or worse some aunty ji.

Come to think of it we even had fun when not riding the bike, that is when we would park our rides at one of the above mentioned addas, with a pack of cigarette and coffee (in winters only) for company, lengthy sessions of storytelling would commence.

The two topics that dominated these sessions were failed love stories or the successful erotic outings with our ‘timepass’ girlfriends.

It’s been close to ten years now and I still cherish those beautiful and memorable days all thanks to my dear Karizma and my loving parents. Wish I could turn back time… SIGH!!!

JIM CORBETT: EXPLORING THE WILD

Earlier this month my five friends and I left for Jim Corbett National Park, my second visit after a gap of six years. The trip was fantastic and we couldn’t have asked for more.

But it also brought back memories of a particular incident that took place the last time I went there with another group of friends. This is what happened:

It was a chilly January morning when we left Delhi for the park. As we reached Ramnagar, 50 kms short of Corbett at around 3 p.m. we realized that the gates for Corbet were already closed and we would have to spend the night in Ramnagar.

However, a visit to the local Uttarakhand tourism office and we were more than happy after learning what was on offer. Open air camping next to the Ramganga river, bonfire and booze—we were not going anywhere!

But as it was only 4 p.m. we decided to pass the time by going for a drive in the nearby Sitavani jungles. So, as we drove on the serpentine road deep into the woods we spotted a number of deers, peacocks, wild hens and exotic birds.

After driving for about half an hour, we saw a narrow valley covered with pebbles and moss that led to the river. So, all of us decided to go downhill. We frolicked in the ice cold water, chatted and smoked some cigarettes for about an hour or so and as it started to get dark, we decided to get back to the camp.

We got up and headed towards our car parked up the hill. As we reached the road we saw a couple of auto rickshaws parked behind our car and some locals talking to our driver. Concerned, we approached them and enquired what the matter was?

I could tell by their faces that they were delighted to see us all ALIVE! Because what they told us sent a chill down our spines.

According to them, the whole area that we were returning from was infested by poisonous snakes, lizards, scorpions and several other reptiles. On top of that jackals and wild elephants use to frequent that portion of river to drink water.

They had tried calling us but obviously we couldn’t hear them as we were a bit deep in the jungle and none of them dared to venture down the hill to inform us in person.

Flustered, we thanked our stars sat in the car and drove away. That memory is still in the back of our minds.