Meeting deadlines

Can't think of anything...

During my free times, I love to surf the Net and look for inspirational quotes of famous personalities. Not just because they inspire me a lot. I love to read them as most of the time I realise they reflect feelings of the common masses, while sometimes they make observations much ahead of their times. Many times I have realised that their observations were quite true even in the contemporary scenario.

But today I want to talk about two quotes that left me pondering over the importance of “deadline” in life.

Famous English author Douglas Adams once said, “I love deadlines. I love the whooshing noise they make as they go by.”

While Charles Bukowski, a German-born American poet, novelist, and short story writer, was once quoted as saying: “Sometimes you climb out of bed in the morning and you think, I’m not going to make it, but you laugh inside remembering all the times you’ve felt that way.” 

Both these quotes have been proved correct in my life. 

I have been writing short takes for over three years, yet there are times when I don’t get any topic to write, till I reach the deadline, almost. 

After reading these famous authors’ observations, I have realised that actually I too enjoy doing things at the last moment, although I know that the habit of postponing your duty till the last moment is not good.

Maybe because I too have gone through Charles Bukowski’s experiences. While reading his above-mentioned observation, I realised that he wrote about people like me.

By now, you must have guessed correctly. Yes, once again I was unable to write a short take for this week, but finally managed this before meeting the deadline.

(Published in The Gulf Today on February 28, 2015)

Convincing logic

Its so funny!!!!!!

During a recent visit to my uncle’s place, I was surprised to see him watching a TV serial meant for kids. I thought he must have stopped for a moment while switching between various news channels. But I was wrong, because he was watching it with great interest. I couldn’t withhold my curiosity any longer and asked him the reason for it.

On this, he replied, “Already there are so many tensions in the office and at home. Why should I increase my tension by watching TV serials that show family problems or movies full of violence or by going through various news channels that love to present violent protests, tense political situations and grim social matters from across the world?”

“Although there are people who get hooked to their television sets as soon as they arrive home and start watching whatever is being presented on the Idiot Box. I don’t like to be one of them. Instead, I love to watch these cartoon shows and kiddish serials that make me laugh and help me forget my problems and office-related tensions for some time,” he added.

I found his logic quite convincing.

Maybe because I too prefer to watch those kiddish cartoons and comic shows instead of watching those forceful movies that my friends like a lot. 

Though I frequently read fictional as well as non-fictional works of great authors, I also love to read books penned by Enid Blyton and comic books such as Tinkle during leisurely hours.

(Published in The Gulf Today on February 21, 2015)

Dear grandfather

Death is unavoidable. We believe that the time of everyone’s death is fixed even before a person comes into this world. Thus we should not grieve over the demise of our loved ones. This is what I used to believe whenever I thought of death. But recently, I realised that I was wrong.

It is more than two months since my name appeared last in these columns. Everything has a reason and the reason of my absence is a painful one — the sudden loss of my grandfather.

I could not control my tears and grief. Still whenever, I think of him, my eyes get filled with tears. 

He always supported me. He was a fun-loving, kind and a honourable man dedicated to the family. He was one of the renowned Urdu poets in Bihar. I too used to spend time with him and listen to his poems. He always encouraged me to write poems and stories in Urdu. 

He inculcated in me the love for Urdu. He taught me how to read and write Urdu. Without him, I could never have got the chance to realise the richness of Urdu literature. 

My grandfather was my greatest ideal and no one else can attain this position. It is unfortunate that I lost him so early.

It was not only my loss, because he was a great poet and had contributed so much to Urdu literature and Indian culture.

Now I have realised that if you lose someone very dear to you, others can only comfort you but the real pain remains. 

Death is, what I think, just a simple reminder to everyone that irrespective of our plans for the future, we have only little time to live in this world. I think that a man should always be prepared for death and live his life to the fullest. 

(Published in The Gulf Today on February 14, 2015)

Inspiring fair

Inspiring Fair...Sharjah Book Fair

Have you ever noticed a galaxy of stars walking on the earth?

No?

Well, I have noticed at the 33rd Sharjah International Book Fair where literary celebrities from various parts of the world came to inspire the booklovers. 

I am happy that the fair saw the largest Indian participation in its history. My idols Chetan Bhagat and author Shashi Tharoor, who have authored many literary books, were among the guests from India. The list of prominent writers included Amitav Ghosh, Shiv Khera, Amish Tripathi, Sugathakumari and actress Manju Warrier to name a few.

I was greatly inspired by the speech of Shashi Tharoor as he narrated his journey and recalled that his parents never encouraged him to become a full-time writer, yet he is a world-famous writer. 

I am proud that we have something in common. I am also an avid fan of Enid Blyton, I too finish the book even before reaching home from library and I too have the passion for writing. 

Another Indian author, Amitav Ghosh, has motivated me to continue writing. His words always ring in my ears, “Writing is an act of imagination. When students are not paying attention and are day-dreaming, they are using their imagination — that is also a part of their education.”

Shashi Tharoor, Amitav Ghosh, Shiv Khera, Amish Tripathi, and many other writers stimulated the minds of thousands of students during their meets at the book fair.

Though today, the book fair is concluding, I feel satisfied as I have learnt a lot and have been very inspired. I am proud that I am a resident of Sharjah. And I would surely like to visit the Sharjah book fair, not as an audience but as a Guest of Honour with thousands of fans sitting in front of me. 

(Published in The Gulf Today on November 15, 2014)

Not my cup of tea

Is flattering your cup of tea?

“Our waitresses operate on flattering,” declared a restaurant owner as he wrote this welcome note on the wall.

Just like other visitors, I was also surprised to read this during my visit recently. Even after coming back from the restaurant, I kept thinking about it.

I realised that it was yet another truth of life. Most of us can’t live without flattering, but very few would dare to acknowledge.

If we want something from someone, many of us start flattering. We notice this too often in our surroundings, but just let it fly away. Mothers flatter their babies while dressing or feeding them, children flatter their parents to get a hike in their pocket money.

Recently when I visited a friend, I found her cajoling her sister to gift her an iPad on her birthday. Soon she started flattering her. The very next day my friend was flashing her new iPad.

I realised that a few people can get anything with these skills, flattery is certainly not my cup of tea.

(Published in The Gulf Today on November 8, 2014)

Virtual companions

He is cute! Isn't he? 

It is difficult to survive loneliness. Everyone needs a companion. While many people think that human beings are the best companions as their friends can reciprocate their feelings, for others the options are unlimited – ranging from pets to diaries.

A number of people prefer pets as their best companions, because they think that a pet can understand them well. Pets will reciprocate their love and affections. Also one can share his feelings with no worry or fear of pets revealing the secrets.

But there are a few pet-lovers who think that pets can be a great chaos at their home. They find solace in virtual pets that have spread like wildfire. This way pet-lovers get rid of the notion that pets create havoc, yet they would not feel sad of not having one. Virtual pets may get you the feeling of true pets. You can feed them, play with them and even make them sleep.

Some of the most popular virtual pets are Talking Tom and Talking Ginger.

Now the number of original animals being caged is decreasing, thanks to these famous virtual pets. But sometimes we get so attached to these pets that even if we are busy somewhere, we can’t resist checking on our pets. 

I hope that these virtual pets become more popular so that pet animals can gain freedom. At the same time I don’t want anyone to be so dedicated to these virtual pets that they start ignoring real-life duties.

(Published in The Gulf Today on November 1, 2014)

True value

Letters from the Hindi Language

Anything that is abundantly available in our surroundings does not get its due value. Be it the sun or moon, water or air, we do not realise their true worth. Most of the national languages or mother tongues fall in the same category. Since we find everyone using the same language we rarely think about its true value.

This is what I realised after taking part in the Hindi Divas Programme held in our school recently. The day is celebrated in many parts of India as well as abroad wherever a substantial number of Hindi speakers reside to commemorate the day when Hindi was decided to be the national language of India. The day is dedicated to showcase the rich cultural heritage and values of Hindi language.

In our school too, the Hindi Divas programme was celebrated on a grand level. It started with a patriotic song by a group of girls. It was soothing. It was followed by a play, which was followed by “Hasya Kavi Sammelan,” a poetry session where students had to recite poetry laced with humour and satire. I was one of the poets, who had to regale the audience by representing works of renowned poets.

It was this occasion that made me realise the true worth of a poem and the contribution made by the poets and writers as we were unable to write even one stanza that can match the works of the celebrated poets.

I hope that we all learn to give due respect to our respective national languages and understand the inherent values.

Published in The Gulf Today on October 18, 2014)