The unsung heroes of Durga Puja

The most famous festival of Bengalis Durga Puja is here. The smell of Shiuli flowers is  wafting through air. Markets  are abuzz with last minute shoppers.Every para is giving finishing touches to the pandals.Everybody is planning their puja itinerary. Those who have moved out of Kolkata due to job, education purpose have arrived to be   a part of this grand carnival. Children are keeping count of their dresses to ensure that they have not been out done by their cousins or friends.

Amidst all this humdrum, have we ever heed  to them, who have to leave behind their family to make this puja  so successful.People from all across the globe come to Kolkata to get drenched in this festive fervor.All the intricate works on the pandal that leave  everyone spellbound have been crafted by these people.Months after months they toil hard to make their assigned pandals  the most beautiful one in the city.While pandal hopping, we treat our eyes on these beautiful works of art and utter the words "ki shundor" (how beautiful) but the thought of these people hardly cross our mind.We like to dance to the beats of dhaakis but hardly pay attention to these dhaakis who keep beating their dhaaks from morning till everyone gets tired of dancing.

Their children might wait for them like every year I wait with bated breath for my father to return home, so that we can have gala time.I don't know if it is  due to sense of maturity or what. This year they have caught my attention. While  we try to appease Maa Durga  by offering her sweets  and worshiping her throughout  five days, these people put their nose to grindstone to appease our aesthetic sense. In their own way, they try to win over Maa Durga. It is  said " work is  worship" . They worship through  their work. They offer their labour, sweat. They endure everything to give their best. We may say that they are being paid fr their work, so whats  a  big deal. To this, I have an  irrefragable answer which sound cliche "money can't buy you everything" and of course not the hard work which goes into making this festival   a grand success.

Next comes our police department. We often hold them responsible whenever anything illegal happens. To monitor the situation during Durga Puja  and  ensure that this carnival go off smoothly, they keep round the clock check on every puja pandal. Their family also want to apend time with them, but they are  sacrificing their celebration so that we can celebrate without a  hitch.

They are all the unsung heroes of Durga Puja, who derive pleasure by seeing smiling faces and joy of pandal hoppers. Our praise is the biggest award for them. I  conclude with the hope  that this year when you go to admire any pandal  you'll spare some thoughts on these unsung heroes.When dhakki arrives at your door step before leaving for his home, you'll be generous in giving him gifts.

Happy Durga Puja :)

Utopia

Monsoon clouds have overcast the sky. Every  creation of nature is getting enveloped in darkness. Reema sitting by the  window is lost in her own thoughts. She is reminiscing about her good old days. Her pining for her past is her escape from the present realities. Her father was colonel in an army. After his retirement, they decided to move to their home town which is located at some small village in West Bengal. Having grown up in a  cosmopolitan culture of Dehradun, her present situation is diametrically opposite of her past situation. How  she  wishes she could move the clock back in time.

Outside, it is raining heavily. Rainwater is lashing against the window. Reema wants to cry her heart out. Her eyes are already misted with tears, she is feeling helpless. Suddenly her phone rings, she looks for it in the muddle of papers. It is  a call from an unknown number. Reema picks up the phone.

Stranger : Hello, is Debika  at home?
Reema : No, wrong number.
Stranger : ohh, if you don't mind, can i say something?
Reema: sure.
Stranger : You have got nice voice, bye....

Reema doesn't react to this. Even she feels some  warmth in that stranger's voice. It  is  so soothing.

It is dinner time and her mother is calling her for dinner. She hates the idea of having dinner with the members of her joint family. For they always lecture her about how to be  a bengali 'bhalo meye'. This makes her ponder over her own character. Can her upbringing be so wrong.

Next day she again receives call from the same unknown number.

Stranger : hello
Reema : hello
Stranger : so, today its not wrong number.
Reema smiled.

They spoke for many hours. Reema completely oblivious of her surrounding and her fantasy, drowns herself in that conversation. After the conversation she feels better, still can't free herself from the clutches of past. She keeps romancing about memories related to her school, college and her home in Dehradun. How she  used to stand on her balcony and  admire snow capped mountains for hours.

Monsson has past and its autumn time now. Trees have started shedding leaves and Reema keeps getting call from stranger. Air is filled with the fragrance of Shiuli flower. The sight of Kaash flowers swaying in air offers treat to eyes. Reema resolves that the time has  arrived when she should let go of her past and move on in life. But how  and why. Why she  should? Its  an utopia for her , she finds solace in her long talk with stranger. Reality is very cruel, it always upsets her.

 Beats of Dhaak resonates in air, summoning up  the memories of Dehradun, how her family over there used to organise puja in their locality. The phone suddenly intrudes into her reverie. this time around she thinks of asking his name. They have been talking for long but never bother to know each other's name. On being asked about his name, he says 'when the right time arrives, you will get to know everything about me. As of now, content yourself with the fact that I am one of your well wishers.

Durga puja has past, Maa Durga has returned to her home. Reema too wants to embark on a new journey. She doesn,t want to let all her fantasies take hold of her life. She could see her bleak future. The line between reality and fantasy has already started getting blurred for her. In her fantasy world she is Reema of completely different nature. She is what she cannot be in her real life.

Mother earth is getting ready for her sleep. There is nip in air. Reema sipping her ginger tea is taking stroll on terrace. She is speaking to her stranger friend. She has never met him yet she feels  so close to him. Despite  all these she can't keep herself steady. Something is bothering her. Her head grows heavy and she is feeling restless day by day. Has she become schizophrenic? she doesn't know. But then one question rings in her mind 'what is reality' ? Is it what we see or is it what keeps us happy and content.

It has been many days since she received call from her stranger friend. She decides to make call herself this time around. but there was noone to take her call at the other end. It went unanswered. Nature is deep in her sleep recuperating from weariness. Reema feels dejected, shattered once again she has been hurt by someone she got attached to. While all these things preying on her mind, she hears her  youngest cousin Chottu  is rushing to her room. He is holding a  piece of paper, he shows his drawing to Reema. He has drawn a family picture. Family, which he lost in a car accident. He speaks  so fondly of it, but he has accepted the mishap. He didn't let the tragedy take toll of his life. He is living with the members of his extended family, revering  them, making merry in their happy moments. Despite being a  child he can take situation in his own stride. He  loves Reema  and always asks her to play with him. Whenever he finds the door of Reema's room open he sneaks in to meet his 'mitti di' thats what he calls Reema. Reema's eyes stays fix on chhotu and realisation dawns on her that nobody's life is perfect. everybody has built some ideal world  in order to stay focussed and happy. Everyday we strive to achieve that world and may be the quest for that  world is what keeps us going. Our ideal world offers substitute for the real world. These worlds can go parallel but can never merge. Little chhotu has ideal world too in which he has sweet little family which is missing in his real life. Reema longing for Dehradun and her emotional attachment to her stranger friend is just part of her perfect world which she needs to achieve. She makes up her mind  not to sulk and moves ahead. While stepping out of her room, her phone rings  again, it is the same unknown number which is not unknown anymore. This time  she didn't answer the call and put the number on block list. She has come to terms with the fact that is she wants her utopia, she needs to work towards it.

A bumpy ride...

Since last year everything has been going downhill...despite giving my best attempt,I failed to get the desired in graduation.I  left no stone unturned to prepare for JNU entrance exam(my dream univ,which will remain dream forever) but didn't get through the entrance exam.There is saying "misfortunes never come alone",the same happened in my case also.to add to my miseries,my friends were there,whom I trusted the most,they were shoulder to lean on,my confidant.But at the time of adversity,some of them left m in the urches.Every door was shutting for me one after another.Every road i dared to travel,ended on a blind turn.I was feeling helpless and  at times as if I was walking in a oblivion.There was not a single ray of hope.All my dreams which I had cherished for long was shattering.At times I used to feel suicidal but soon I realised if i died,people would think that I was a loser but I didn't want to be a loser,I wanted to emerge as a winner.

All day I cried,I sulked about all these but deep down I had a feeling that this adverse situation was ephemeral, it would pass and soon I would get to see the light of the day as I had read somewhere-"The darkest hour of the night is just before the dawn".However slowly and gradually that faith started faltering and I went into shell,topped socialising and dressing up as I used to do earlier.I was on the verge of giving up my faith in God because I felt if God doesn't make any distinctions between  any of his  creations thn why he was putting me to test every time.It was then that the Gospels from my father changed my mind and I continued offering prayer to God.Papa said that life is journey filled bitter and pleasant experiences.He said whn you had good time,you never questioned then that why all the good things of life had been bestowed on you.He further added God is above all,He gave  everyone his due share.Through adverse situations He tests our  faith in Him.He sees if we are ready to give up our faith in Him when we don't get anything in return.Papa preached me not to expect anything  in return.Always give your best and leave everything to God.

Inspired by his words,I picked up the pieces of my broken dream and tried to give it another shape.I determined not to look back and sulk any more.I started walking a new path.I had to overcome obtacles even in that path.But the worst part is that one year has gone by and still condition is all the same.In this one year not a single thing has happened which can give me stir or bring mile to my face.It has been long since I was happy or laughed my heart out.I really want to laugh,make merry and get on with life.I know that it is only in mind as Satan has said "mind in itself and in its own place,can make hell of heaven and heaven of hell.But thee days there i nothing on  my mind except chronicles of failure.Ever road is blocked.I just can't close my eyes to all these things and give a smile.

Some of you might be thinking that I always either complain or vent out in my blog.I never write anything cheering...but its just a bumpy ride for now :( :(

It is raining outside heavily and am sitting  at my favourite place(my room),doing my favourite activity(blogging) with nothing on my mind to write on.Still i just love doing it because here i can be myself,without anybody to judge me or my writing skill.thats a different thing i hv given  few close persons the authority to access  my blog and have a look on it.I know i am not a good writer but it makes little difference to me,writting is my hobby and here i am for my own satisfaction not for any marks.............wow today's downpour has something special in it,may be it has some touches of past...oops sorry for the diversion but couldn't help it,rain has been my all time favourite.Who needs a boyfriend for company when there is beautiful rain and a book by your favourite author to curled up with:P


last few days  have been hell.these days i am spending my time idly and ending up doing stupid things because it is well said "an empty brain is devil's workshop"perhaps it is true in my case as well.actually i want to do manything but can't find the way which will lead me to the place where i want to be.just a while ago i was snooping through the profile of Prof.Brinda  Bose.faculty of english,Delhi Univ.What a charisma she has.whenever i see her,i start dreaming.But  deep down i know i will never be able to be at such an esteemed position,still i can't help dreaming.Thats our problem is,we humans can never give up dreaming as it is our unconscious mind.Paulo Coelho has said that if you really desire something,the whole universe conspires in helping you to achieve it,but does it happen everytime??at times we put in our best efforts,but fail to achieve what we desire.


well  now i am thinking i should try to change Freud's theory on dream and make  my own  "dream is something which never becomes reality".i am tired,fed up and frustrated.hope will get  over it soon and post something sensible and worth reading....wait a second i don't know whether it will be worth reading or not  but will try my level best to make it so....till then keep loving and stay loved......coz its really necessary in life,its a life support thing:))

Destiny or hardwork

Last night i was reading The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.I have read it many times despite that i love to read it whenever i get a chance.Realising your dream that's what the book wants to say.At the same time it do gives a view  on omens,destiny.The hero of the novel sets  off  to find a hidden treasure about which he has dreamt.on his journey he tries to interpret omens and also tries to understand the universal language.he meets with many obstacles.At times the thought of giving up his search comes to his mind but later he again makes up  his mind to proceed.there is a line in the book which fascinates me a lot and acts as a source of inspiration whenever my spirit is low.the line says that if you really want something,all the universe conspires to help you in achieving that.This line comes not only once in the novel but couple of times.Perhaps this is the message of the  novel.


Many questions flit across my mind whenever i finished reading this book.is there really a thing called destiny??Do omens work in real life??does really universe conspire in our favor,when we want something wholeheartedly??or there is only one thing HARD WORK AND HARD WORK??
at times we give our best,do every possible thing in order to get what we desire but the end result is not so happening.our heart cannot accept the fact that we didn't work hard our spirits give up  on another attempt.Then all of a sudden  from a dark comes a ray of hope which again makes us follow that path and cherish our dreams.this time we tend to make better attempt.taking lessons from our past mistakes we become more well versed  and this time our goal appears nearer than last time.this is happened with the hero of the novel also.whenever he thinks that he is cherishing his dream which doesn't make sense.he should go back to his early life of shepherd.then comes the universal force which makes him shed all the negativity within him and makes him get going.


Destiny and hardwork are synonymous to each other.they are not separate words.Our destiny works only when we work hard as there is a saying which goes like"Fortune favours the brave".nobody gets what  he doesn't deserve and destiny knows it fully well that who deserves what.We all want to achieve something in our life but we don't give it a try thinking that it is unattainable or something beyond our reach.but according to me we should give it a try and  and make very possible effort.we should carve our own destiny by our deeds,that is when universal conspiracy takes place.constant and sincere  hard work certainly pays back one day.our history presents us  with galaxy of examples of ordinary man achieving extraordinary goals.first of all no man is ordinary,God has gifted every man with some talents.we just need to realise that talent or God gift.one who succeeds in doing so  becomes extraordinary and one who is happy and content with who he is and what he has remains a mediocre.

so only your hard work accompanied by your destiny  can take  you to the top.always wear  never say die attitude.these days there is a t.v  commercial  of limca in which kareena  says that you need to increase your thirst,need to perspire more and then only quench your thirst with limca.But i am not here   to promote a particular soft drink.i just want to say that one should do this "increase your thirst for goal" and then set off to achieve it.on way you will meet  with many obstacles but don't stop there.always remember that the darkest hour of the night is just before the dawn.....the more near you will be to your dream  more hard  it will become for you.so whats stopping you....start now because there is no tomorrow

Chocolates,Teddybears and Broken Heart

Raina was all alone.There was noone who understood her.In her life she had got nothing else than hatred,betrayal and tears.Love was alien to her.Her world was her room because she was confined to that room only.She was not allowed to go out and revel like other girls of 18 years old.Each and every day of her life had become difficult for her to live.

One day when she was chatting online,which was the only way for her to connect to the outer world,an unknown friend request came in her profile.At first she didn't accept it but after sometime she confirmed it.Then started the usual conversation like hi,hello,how are you.Summoned by her mother she logged out and went to attend to her mother.For many days she didn't bother to check her mailbox and account.Next time when she logged in she found Ankit,that unknown friend of her online.Depressed,tired,frustrated Raina started conversing with Ankit.She found him very friendly  and understanding.They both exchanged phone number.After that chat Raina was feeling better as if for the first time she had poured her heart out to somebody.


That night Raina called Ankit up.He was very nice to Raina.This phone call and chatting had become another world for her.A world far better than the real world ,a world which Raina herself  had created  for her.This world was like micro world within the macro world of Raina.Raina  had always loved her father.He was the first man with whom Raina fell in love.But her father didn't have time to notice the love of Raina.He was too busy with his work,and his family.Yes 'his family' thats what Raina used to say.That family was complete when Raina was not there.Whenever she entered into frame there took place  some trifle due to some or other reasons.


Thinking of all these and immersed in reading novel Raina fell asleep.At 2a.m Raina's cellphone vibrated Ankit was calling her but Raina was fast asleep.The call went unattended.When Raina woke up the following morning,she saw the missed call but then threw the phone back to her bed as if it has not bothered her.Raina didn't have clue that Ankit would call her up again.That night Ankit called around 11p.m and asked about her well being.This continues for few days.Ankit started calling her up frequently.

Eventually Raina's behavior started changing.Raina who was hardly conscious about herself started taking care of her,she started dreaming,fantasizing.The boy whom she had never met,the boy who was living far away from her had brought so many changes to her life.She used to share each and every detail of her life with him.Now Raina herself started realising something different was happening.She was daydreaming about somebody whom she had never met.If any day she couldn't get him through phone she started worrying.She herself didn't know that should she call it love or infatuation?


For the first time in her life.she had met someone who understood her.cared for her.Raina used to love the way Ankit pronounced her name.Once Raina said to Ankit "when you take my name,it feels great.You pronounce it with so much love,affection and warmth as nobody else had ever pronounced it,not even my father".aAnd her eyes misted with tears.Ankit used to console and treat her like baby.She was very immature.Ankit made her understand.At times Ankit even said to her "if possible distance yourself from me because i  don't want to see you in tears but i can't give you any future as well".But now Raina was deeply and madly in love with him.Slowly and gradually Raina started feeling the presence of Ankit with him.Geographical distance didn't matter her.She told all her friends about Ankit.They advised Raina to sever contact with him and told her how these days peoplw were using social networking sites for wrong purpose.But Raina's heart was telling different story to her.Ankit couldn't  be wrong.He had been sent to her by God.She deided to maintain this contact through phone with Ankit.Ankit was not only her friend,he was philosopher and guide too.Whenever she was wrong and confused,she used to ask him and Ankit used to give her lecture for long.All these were happening through phone.For a girl like Raina who didn't know what love was.This was precious gift.She wanted to kiss him and wanted to be in his arms.But fate had something else in  store for her.



Everything was going perfectly.Raina started seeing outer world through Ankit's eyes.Till that time Raina had learnt manything from him.Raina got to know that she needed to change herself.There are many flaws in her.Three long years had passed by and they didn't even realise.Raina became emotionally dependent on him.But one night they had some misunderstandings and Ankit ended the call.Before this also they had small trifle many-times and it got alright after sometime.So Raina decide to give him his space and not to call him up for few days.On Christmas eve Raina wanted to wish him merry christmas.So she called  him up but the words which she got to hear "the number you are trying to reach is currently busy on anothe call".

Raina knew apart from Raina Ankit had contact with many girls.But Raina accepted that thing also.She tried three times but every time her call went on hold.Then Ankit called her back and said "how dare you disturb me".

Raina-i'm sorry.


Ankit-bye.


Raina fell down on her bed where many books were laying.On one paper it was written

"to my love Ankit
thanks for everything.i'll never be able to forget you."

zindagi

e zindagi itni shiddat se maine tujhse pyar kia,
tere har pal mein khud ko sarabor kia.
leti rahi har pal tu mera imtihan,
aur maine muskurake uska saamna kia.