Bidding Adieu To My Best Friend…..

As the title says I am Bidding Adieu to My Best Friend, who came in my life in 2006 as a gift from dad for passing 12^th with good grades. Ok! Let me clear myself for those who didn’t understand; I am talking about my Scooty Pep+. My dad had promised me that he will buy a bike for me if I secured good grades in my 12^th Board exam, which I did. And post my result we (My Dad, Mom and I) went to confirm a bike for me. Many people suggested TVS Scooty Pep+ brand as it was new girly designed bike. The only thing we needed to confirm was a color. I still remember when we went to the TVS showroom; the Pink color was on display as it was the newest color back then. And all three of us instantly fell in Love with her!

                    

Oh! My initial days with my Scooty Pep+ Pink were so awesome; I never drove it, I flew it. The smoothness, the sturdiness it was splendid. And riding the pink one had its own fun as there weren’t many on the road. My friends always use to say that my bike is very easy to recognize because of the color and that’s made her so unique. Then the advertisement came, where Preity Zinta use to promote the Pink Scooty and the tagline was “Pink Se Panga Nahi Lene Ka” (Never cross with Pink).

          

             I remember post the advertisement was a hit, when I drove my Scooty to collage, bunch of guys standing at the gate chanted loudly when I entered – PINK SE PANGA NAHI LENE KA… I was shocked and amused at the same time. But still felt good.  My scooty has given me so many precious moments one of the best of it is dropping off my favorite college teacher – Lakshmi Ma’am at the destined Bus stop. The Pink scooty had become my identity too. People / strangers use to remember me as the pink scooty girl.

      My scooty became my best friend because she has been there with me through all my big / small events. She was there when I received a good news of getting selected for AHA. When I got a job in GOA she was sent there too and I brought her back to Pune when I returned. I can only imagine how this poor gal would have suffered during the long journey, especially the return journey; I brought her back on the Bus’s top. She was there when I lost my grandma and my favorite sister-in-law. I remember crying while driving on her whenever being heartbroken.  And also N numbers of short trips I have taken along with friends.

Many a times I was too lazy to fill up petrol and realizing the same when leaving home the next day. The petrol never seemed enough to reach till the petrol pump; but somehow miraculously my scooty made it to the pump without breaking down. I still don’t know the mystery behind it.   I have ridden her more than her capacity. I drove it way too fast than it was actually capable of. But my scooty never even once had given me any trouble in last 7 years. But since last 3 months it has started giving me little troubles. Shutting down in between, not starting up soon enough, breaks were not working.  I knew she is becoming ill but I was too attached to her to sell her and by a new one.

But these last three months she had become more risky to drive on. When the case has become crucial enough, when the condition came as either I will kill her or maybe she will kill me, I decided to bid Adieu to her. It was with great difficulty I had handed her over to the seller. I walked back with heavy heart. I couldn’t even dare to see her last time while leaving from seller’s place. It felt like I had given away a part of me.  She really meant a lot me and even though now I got a new friend – my new Access 125, with whom I’ll make new great memories, I just want to say I will really miss you my old friend. I hope you give same joy and pleasure and new wonderful memories to the new owner as you have given to me. 

GOOD BYE MY FRIEND!!!

14 short stories worth reading (Shared)

14 short stories worth reading, feeling and sharing with all of you , dear friends .  

 

1. Fall and Rise

Today, when I slipped on the wet tile floor a boy in a wheelchair caught me before I slammed my head on the ground. He said, “Believe it or not, that’s almost exactly how I injured my back 3 years ago .

 

2. A father's advice

Today, my father told me, “Just go for it and give it a try! You don’t have to be a professional to build a successful product. Amateurs started Google and Apple. Professionals built the Titanic

 

3. The power of uniqueness.

Today, I asked my mentor – a very successful business man in his 70’s – what his top 3 tips are for success. He smiled and said, “Read something no one else is reading, think something no one else is thinking, and do something no one else is doing.

 

4. Looking Back

Today, I interviewed my grandmother for part of a research paper I’m working on for my Psychology class. When I asked her to define success in her own words, she said, “Success is when you look back at your life and the memories make you smile.

 

5. Try and U shall know

I am blind by birth. When I was 8 years old, I wanted to play baseball. I asked my father- "Dad, can I play baseball?" He said "You'll never know until you try." When I was a teenager, I asked him, - "Dad Can I become a surgeon?". He replied "Son, you'll never know until you try." Today I am a Surgeon, just because I tried!

 

6. GOODNESS & GRATITUDE

Today, after a 72 hour shift at the fire station, a woman ran up to me at the grocery store and gave me a hug. When I tensed up, she realized I didn’t recognize her. She let go with tears of joy in her eyes and the most sincere smile and said, “On 9-11-2001, you carried me out of the World Trade Center.”

 

7. LOVE CONQUERS PAIN

Today, after I watched my dog get run over by a car, I sat on the side of the road holding him and crying. And just before he died, he licked the tears off my face.

 

8. A DOOR CLOSES TO OPEN ANOTHER

Today at 7AM, I woke up feeling ill, but decided I needed the money, so I went into work. At 3PM I got laid off. On my drive home I got a flat tire. When I went into the trunk for the spare, it was flat too. A man in a BMW pulled over, gave me a ride, we chatted, and then he offered me a job. I start tomorrow.

 

9. LOOKING BACK

Today, as my father, three brothers, and two sisters stood around my mother’s hospital bed, my mother uttered her last coherent words before she died. She simply said, “I feel so loved right now. We should have gotten together like this more often.”

 

10. AFFECTION

Today, I kissed my dad on the forehead as he passed away in a small hospital bed. About 5 seconds after he passed, I realized it was the first time I had given him a kiss since I was a little boy.

 

11. INNOCENCE

Today, in the cutest voice, my 8-year-old daughter asked me to start recycling. I chuckled and asked, “Why?” She replied, “So you can help me save the planet.” I chuckled again and asked, “And why do you want to save the planet?” “Because that’s where I keep all my stuff,” she said.

 

12. JOY

Today, when I witnessed a 27-year-old breast cancer patient laughing hysterically at her 2-year-old daughter’s antics, I suddenly realized that I need to stop complaining about my life and start celebrating it again.

 

13. KINDNESS

Today, a boy in a wheelchair saw me desperately struggling on crutches with my broken leg and offered to carry my backpack and books for me. He helped me all the way across campus to my class and as he was leaving he said, “I hope you feel better soon.”.

 

14. SHARING

Today, I was traveling in Kenya and I met a refugee from Zimbabwe. He said he hadn’t eaten anything in over 3 days and looked extremely skinny and unhealthy. Then my friend offered him the rest of the sandwich he was eating. The first thing the man said was, “We can share it.”

 

Cheers to life.

Alphabet of Happiness...(Shared)

Alphabet of Happiness...

 

A--Accept
Accept others for who they are and for the choices they've made even if you have difficulty understanding their beliefs, motives, or actions.

 

B--Break Away
Break away from everything that stands in the way of what you hope to accomplish with your life.

 

C--Create
Create a family of friends whom you can share your hopes, dreams, sorrows, and happiness with.

 

D--Decide
Decide that you'll be successful and happy come what may, and good things will find you. The roadblocks are only minor obstacles along the way.

 

E--Explore
Explore and experiment. The world has much to offer, and you have much to give. And every time you try something new, you'll learn more about yourself.

 

F--Forgive
Forgive and forget. Grudges only weigh you down and inspire unhappiness and grief. Soar above it, and remember that everyone makes mistakes.

 

G--Grow
Grow up leave the childhood monsters behind. They can no longer hurt you or stand in your way.

 

H--Hope
Hope for the best and never forget that anything is possible as long as you remain dedicated to the task.

 

I--Ignore
Ignore the negative voice inside your head. Focus instead on your goals and remember your accomplishments. Your past success is only a small inkling of what the future holds.

 

J--Journey
Journey to new worlds, new possibilities, by remaining open-minded. Try to learn something new every day, and you'll grow.

 

K--Know
Know that no matter how bad things seem, they'll always get better. The warmth of spring always follows the harshest winter.

L--Love
Let love fill your heart instead of hate. When hate is in your heart, there's room for nothing else, but when love is in your heart, there's room for endless happiness.

 

M--Manage
Manage your time and your expenses wisely, and you'll suffer less stress and worry. Then you'll be able to focus on the important things in life.

 

N--Never
Never ignore the poor, infirm, helpless, weak, or suffering. Offer your assistance when possible, and always your kindness and understanding.

 

O--Open
Open your eyes and take in all the beauty around you. Even during the worst of times, there's still much to be thankful for.

 

P--Play 
Play,never forget to have fun along the way. Success means nothing without happiness.

 

Q--Question 
Ask many questions, because you're here to learn.

 

R--Refuse
Refuse to let worry and stress rule your life, and remember that things always have a way of working out in the end.

 

S--Share 
Share your talent, skills, knowledge, and time with others. Everything that you invest in others will return to you many times over.

 

T--Try 
Try anyway,even when your dreams seem impossible to reach.You'll be amazed by what you can accomplish.

 

U--Use 
Use your gifts to your best ability. Talent that's wasted has no value. Talent that's used will bring unexpected rewards.

 

V--Value 
Value family members and the friends  who've supported and encouraged you, and be there for them as well.

 

W--Work 
Work hard every day to be the best person you can be, but never feel guilty if you fall short of your goals. Every sunrise offers a second chance.

 

X--X-Ray 
Look deep inside like X-Ray in the hearts of those around you and you'll see the goodness and beauty within.

 

Y--Yield 
Yield to commitment. If you stay on track and remain dedicated, you'll find success at the end of the road.

 

Z--Zoom 
Zoom to a happy place when bad memories or sorrow rears its ugly head. Let nothing interfere with your goals. Instead, focus on your abilities, your dreams, and a brighter tomorrow. 

Housewife in general and Indian Housewife in particular! (Shared)

An excellent  tribute to all House Wives and particularly to Indian Housewives. Must be read by all House Wives!

Ode to the Indian Housewife (written in prose!!)

An article was recently in circulation that had appeared in The Hindu Newspaper on the Marriage Caterers and how they could be an apt case study for the IIMs on their excellent Management skills.

Just like Businesses calls for qualified IIMs and the like for running the show, has anyone thought of Home Management particularly of a traditional Indian household ?

Has anyone thought of the Conventional middle-class Indian Housewife?  Is she not the best Manager that could ever have set foot on this earth - in real life???

Is ever get thought of or appreciated ?  She is the "unsung heroine",  her services always taken for granted.

Although many are of the opinion that women are relegated to mundane household functions, has anyone ever thought of the activities that she carries out 24 x 7?

Most management skills that are taught of which the IIMs boast and for which they are highly paid, are also essential for running a traditional home.

The Indian traditional middle-class housewife is the CEO here. 

The husband is  mostly a (literally) sleeping partner - only financing the requirements.  He comes into the picture mostly as a Consultant or for major Project Planning needs like Purchasing a house or for children's marriage.

Let us look at some major skill sets:

Planning:

The housewife plans all daily/weekly/monthly/yearly actions for the benefit of the household / her family

All her plans are her "MIND"  - mind that.

Forget a Business's Annual Plans and Long Range Plans - everything relating to the future requirement of the family is already well thought out in her mind and she goes about executing it with her meager resources, including all course corrections.

Organizing:

She is the best organizer that you could ever come across not only for the day to day cores for her and her family, but also for the future actions

Directing:

She directs all actions relating to the household every day

Staffing:

Whether she has servants or not, whether other family members help her or not. whether her finances would help her have additional hands or not, all daily needs of the household are met without fail - thanks to her.

Coordinating:

She is the main center-pin for coordinating for all the actions of the family - for getting things done, for complaints resolution etc. Everything/everyone revolves round her.

Controls:

Very rarely does the husband ever know or get involved in controlling things at home - it is the wife who is the monarch of all that she surveys - directly or indirectly

Time Management:

She could probably be the best Time Manager. Her duty hours are 24 x 7 all the year round & life long. She does not get Casual Leave or Sick Leave or Annual Leave nor does she get paid for Overtime.

Budgeting:

She manages the finances, all the expenses & ensures that the monthly requirements are met. Whatever her husband gives her, she manages the entire show within that. She also creates reserves for the future major expenses like education/marriage/medical etc 

She might not be educated but her cash flow management is always exemplary.

Manpower Management:

Every housewife could be an example of an excellent Man Manager  - she has to tolerate her husband and his office worries that he carries home, her children's problems, her in-laws' etc., resolving all issues without any demur and to the satisfaction of all.

She could beat any HR Manager hands down in Human Relations

Sense of belonging:

Who can ever dispute her selfless dedication to the well being of her family ? She is "there" always partaking in everything whether it be happiness or sorrow. 

Love and compassion:

Who can ever dispute the love and compassion that she showers on her family. Her shoulders are always available for all the family members to lean on. She is the best solace be it for the children or the husband.

Kitchen:

Mother's cooking is the best - isn't it ??

She knows the likes and dislikes of everyone and satisfies one and all. She meets surprise demands of visitors/guest as well.

With whatever is available within her resources/budget she meets all demands, the best Works Manger you could come across.

Her Inventories which include many pershables are always well controlled. She does not know ABC Analysis or EOQ or JIT. 

Most family members do not even know what is in the kitchen.

Quality:

Her food is always appreciated for taste and rarely does she waste or produce rejects. 

She maintains the entire house very well and in an orderly fashion. 

Has she undergone any special training on TQM or Six Sigma or 5S or qualified for ISO or other Management concepts?

Different Caps:

She has to wear different caps for different roles that she plays every day from morning to night:

As a family member - as a daughter ( & daughter-in-law), as a wife to her husband, as a mother to her children, as the housewife to meet all her daily cores etc.

As the CEO, as a Works Manager, as a Works Manager, as a Materials Manager, as a HR Manager, as an Admin Head, as a Quality Head, etc etc.

Whatever be her woes she rarely exhibits them - probably her only solace is the Puja room!

Education:

Most earlier housewives never got the so-called Degrees - She probably could never go to a Bank or a Post Office or use a computer . ..

So what  - her deeds are far far greater - her Universal Knowledge is far far superior

The typical Indian Housewife not only manages the household exceptionally well, she also brings up her children as good citizens inculcating all good values, see to it that they settle properly in life and above all ,continues to serve one and all for ever in life, tirelessly without a demur.   

The greatest thing about her is that her actions are never for "Returns" except that she longs and prays for the well-being of everyone  - to be Healthy and Happy in Life.  

....... This list is never ending.

I may further add that this is applicable even more to our Indian Wives who are in USA / Canada / European Countries.

In these countries they have to work much Harder than India. No maids and No Drivers available unlike India.

 

Long Live the Conventional Indian middle-class Housewife

              She is the Greatest MANAGER that the World would ever see.