For all my Guru's

Today being the auspicious day of Guru Pournima, I take this opportunity to spare sometime of my life remembering all those who have been Guru to me, all those who have imparted knowledge in me which has been the base of my life..

Bharti Teacher - She was my primary school teacher. She was the one responsible for making me good at Mathematics. I've had a lot of pasting from her but I think she has always been very concerned about my studies.

Zeverina Teacher - My secondary school teacher. One thing to learn from her is her patience and perseverance. I apologize her for all the trouble which I've given her. Inspite of that, she never gave up her concerns about me doing well in my studies.

Rakhi Tai - My elder cousin who really gave me the worst time while studying, the one who really had to curb her natural impatience just to let me understand things at my own pace, the one who took complains about me and made sure I did not repeat those. She had been there with me in my early years and a lot of what I know is because of her.

Sawant Sir/Rane Sir/Nikam Sir - I owe my success of S.S.C to these wonderful gentlemen, who were my tuition teachers. I don't think I would have done as good as I did in S.S.C if it had not been for the constant guidance by these men.

Bhandarkar Sir - I did below average at my H.S.C. if I compare my overall academic performance. However, it was this man who made Chemistry so very easy for me to grasp. I don't remember memorizing anything in Chemistry as the lectures conducted by this man were simply awesome. I owe my best score at H.S.C (92/100 in Chemistry) to him.

Patwardhan Sir - From being an average student in first year to being the topper in college in the final year of BSc IT is an achievement I shall always be very proud of. I could not have done it if it had not been for this man, the one who taught me most of the IT knowledge I know.

Zafar Khan - I won't say much about this man because I cannot verbalize what I have learnt from him; whatever it is, it is worth remembering for ages.

Hemant (Baba) - I have always been fond of dramatics and used to consider myself someone great in it until I met this man. I don't think anyone else would have abused me as much as this man. He made me learn humility, apart from whatever I have learnt of acting and dramatics from him.

Bhavesh Sir - I owe my knowledge of graphics & web designing to this man. He is a friend as well.

My Parents - My 24/7 guru's, need not say anything about their contribution.

My Friends - I have learnt a lot of things from you guys. Love you all.

I truly respect these people, and this is just a small gesture of gratitude to my Guru's. Lot more to live, lot more to learn, lot more to achieve in life. I am sure I shall be having many more Guru's as I travel the journey of life. So far so good :)

Entertaining journeys in Mumbai local trains

It's been close to a year now that I have finally started working(and earning), and my weekday routine is now set. Just like every other Mumbaikar, I commute by local trains. It takes around 3 and a half hours of commuting time for me, 1 and half while going and 2 while coming back, and this goes on from every Monday to every Friday a week(unless I have taken a leave). So, like every earning adult, I am spending most of my 'active' time in office and in the local trains. I leave early from home, and reach home late, eating and sleeping are the only 2 activities I do back home; I am sure so is the case with most of my earning friends!

After a tiring day at work, returning home in the local trains feels very boring, isn't it? You don't always like to listen to the same playlist in your ipod, the book you are reading can become boring, the newspaper must have already been read, or "the person you are trying to reach is busy on another call. Stay on the line or call..." is being heard on your phone! Trust me, the journey can really be very entertaining at times. You just need to keep your eyes open for these wierd, amusing characters that you will see in the journey.

Once, there was this young guy who was literally gymming in the train. He must be a degree college student and was doing his exercises vigorously. He held the handles and did push-ups, then used the seats to do dips and namaskars. He was a skinny guy, for sure he needed to exercise and build up muscles. But was it that necessary, that he was doing it in the train! Perhaps the guy must not have had some money to get into a gym, or he might be going on a date and doing so to impress his girl, maybe! Never really got a chance to know anything of this, coz the entertainment lasted for hardly 10 mins, and he had to get down. Just as he left, everyone who noticed him, burst out laughing, me included!

Then, there was once this unusual begger. He boarded the train, stood near the door and started taking deep breath. This went on for about 5-10 mins, and very few people had noticed this, and those who did had no clue what was coming up. Suddenly, a thumping sound was heard, as if someone is slamming a wierd sounding bongo and some inquisitive minds were wondering what's going on yaar. The begger started singing, and the thumping sound was coming from him. He was slamming his stomach, very hard, to come up with that sound. I don't remember the song, but it was surely not the regular ones and with his stomach bongo, he was really doing something different and good. He did receive appreciation from most of the people (I gave him 2 bucks while getting down the train).

I found a vacant seat, next to a guy, playing those irritating bhojpuri songs on loudspeakers of his mobile phone. Unfortunately, my ipod was down on battery so I could do nothing about it. After sometime, an middle aged man came and sat beside me. He too had a fondness for music, I suppose, and the other guy was enticing him to bring it out. He did, he started playing his own south indian songs on his phone. To add to my discomfort, both the guys had 'China' mobiles, which are too loud devices. Jugalbandi was happening between the 2, and people like me had to bear the brunt of it. That entire time, none of them received a call or an sms, and music was going on continuously, until 1 of the mobiles was low on battery. The bhojpuri guy was more happy now, and there was this mean smile on his face. But, it didn't last long; his battery was down in some time too, and I was like "Thank God. China rocks"

Then, there's this guy who sleeps on the entire seat even when the coach has enough people standing. The guy who was singing shayari's, and the guy who was drunk and trying to call up himself on his phone. There are plenty such characters to talk about, although I dont happen to see one everyday. These are the people who add a different dimension to the life of a common Mumbaikar like me, the dimension of unpaid and unasked entertainment! These crazy bunch of fellows amuse you, entertain you and bring a welcome smile, even if for a little while, on your face! The otherwise mundane journey is no more mundane now. Whatever be the destination, the journey is made cheerful by these idiots. If you have come across such people, you know what I mean.

You haven't? No problem, just keep your eyes, and your mind open the next time you are commuting by Mumbai local trains!