Hope in a Shroud of Smoke

We've all heard, read, and seen enough negative stuff about Bangalore, and we get enough reasons to crib. Every day on the way to work and back, we lament upon how much time we have to spend on the road. We complain about the bad roads, narrow roads, traffic jams, noise, pollution, reckless Volvo drivers and cabbies, and so on. But if there's a dark side of the moon, there's a bright side too.

Behind the veil of problems is a city that has so much more to it. So it's no serendipity when I was delighted at the sights, sounds, and smells that my city has to offer. For once, I wasn't complaining, but only enjoying and absorbing the beauty of Bangalore.

It was a usual Sunday morning. My day started early as I had planned to go cycling. I'm not used to cycling on Bangalore roads, so I decided to ride at a leisurely pace behind a group of runners from Team Miles Ahead, a Whitefield-based running group. Soon after I started, I realized I would be doing more than just cycling!

First, I met the newspaper boys, separating different newspapers, and around them were people waiting to grab a copy of their daily dose of news. It made me happy to see that there are people who value newspapers when technology has made it extremely easy to get instant news.

Then I got an olfactory treat, twice. First was while cycling past a temple. The divine fragrance of sandalwood was otherworldly. The second was while crossing a Sagar (one of the many small, standing eateries). The aroma of the piping hot sambar made me realize how hungry I was. So much that I could visualize the cook pouring the sizzling tempering of mustard seeds and curry leaves into the cooked lentils and veggies!

Every now and then I was brought out of my reverie with the sound of running shoes grinding asphalt and sand. There was a rhythm to the footsteps, which was quite pleasing to my ears. The constant crunch-crunch-crunch-crunch was once or twice overpowered by the fancy motorbikes whizzing and zooming past me.

And then there were the chirping birds that added sweet, high-pitched musical notes to the city air. It was nothing less than beautiful.

There was so much energy around with the many runners out so early for their morning run, some training for a personal best at the next marathon and some just for fitness. Most of them smile as they pass by. A simple gesture that reflects mutual respect and understanding can make anyone's day.

Every city has its own set of issues. But Rome wasn't built in a day. And neither can our problems be sorted in a day. A little patience and a little effort from each of us can highlight the beauty of Bangalore that we often ignore.

An Ocean in the Sky

What would it be like if the waves in the ocean were to freeze? And time were to stop? Would we freeze in the moment too? All this might not happen in the real world, but your imagination has the power to take you to the moon and back.

Cruising at an altitude of 36,000 ft, I could see an ocean below me with waves standstill. A hue of orange and purple spreads across the horizon. The grey stripes only added to the splendour of the whole scene.

They say you can catch the most beautiful sunset at a beach. I say you can catch it at its best up there — at 36,000 ft. The setting sun lights up the whole horizon and spreads the beautiful shades of orange on the painting in front of me.

This unadulterated beauty and the sheer thrill of being one with the cumulus clouds makes me love flying. But I don't wish I were a bird. I'm happy taking in the sights and relishing them as a mortal human.

As the earth rotates and I lose the sun to the clouds, I can't help but thank the elements for making me witness this real beauty. The bright orange turns to a tinge and eventually fades away. The setting sun gives me hope that it'll rise again for you and me.

The sun drew a line at the horizon

Not Ready for 10

Those of you have read my experience at Ajmera Life Is Calling Marathon & 10K at NICE road in Bangalore would know that I run, well, on and off. It's been over a year since I started, and I still feel shy to call myself a runner when I see people flying past me. But I'm proud to have started at least.

This post is about my experience at the same course but a different event. The Bengaluru 10K Challenge, on 12 July 2015, saw over 2000 runners from different walks of life. There were the super-fast ones, the moderately fast ones, the slow ones, and then me too. I was surprisingly positive and happy for someone who hadn't run in a long time. So there I was at the start line, full of energy.

The run started quite smoothly on the rolling course, and the first 5K was quite comfortable. Adrenaline was pumping at the right quantity and going to the right synapses. The race was very well-organized, with volunteers every 100M and water stations at every 1K. What more could a runner ask for, right? I was enjoying the run.

And then, suddenly, at the 5K U-turn, my adrenaline supply stopped, or so I believe. Every step after that felt like torture with the sun working overtime. The weather in Bangalore is very pretentious. You would be happy in the morning with the cold breeze and all that, but soon enough it gets so sunny that you can't help but complain. For a moment I couldn't see anything and my legs felt like slabs of concrete. It was just like the time I almost had a baby.

Pushing yourself beyond your limits also makes you have funny conversations with yourself. Your heart and your mind are in constant conflict. My head would say "Why did you have to run when you knew how the course is" and my heart would console me with "Aren't you happy you're trying?" It's a mental game, but what do you do!

All these thoughts and not concentrating on how tough the uphill run was took me till 8K. Then there was this thought that made complete sense. I had not trained at all for this run and there I was at the 10K course. Shouldn't I have done the 5K run instead? Of course, I should have. It's foolish to be overconfident about your body and how much you can take. Training is the key to an injury-free way to fitness. There's no two ways about it.

"Oh wow, I've reached 9.5K. Oh my God, there's a full 500M left. And I struggled like I've never before and crossed the finish line. Someone wise had once said, " The first thing that a person says after crossing the finish line at a marathon says nothing but only the truth." It's so true! When I crossed the finish line, the first thing I said was, "I'm not ready for 10, but I'm ready to begin again."

With the best runner in my family

The Scoop That Changed Their Life

Once upon a time, on a rather hot and sunny evening in Delhi, two friends — D and T — waited at a bus stop. It was just another day in the life of two college-going kids. There was nothing much to look forward to but a few math problems they could never solve as quickly as the other "sharp" kids in class. However, there was something that was bothering the usually bubbly and energetic T. She was dull and upset.

D and T had been best friends for a long time, and each one of them could tell when the other one was happy or sad. So D asked T what the matter was, and T gave her the scoop. But no, that's not the scoop that changed their life! Well, read on.

D started thinking what she could do to lighten up T's mood. That's when D remembered the 500-rupee note she had lost and found in her old jeans pocket. She thought "We can use that to eat." Eureka moment!

Both of them were big time foodies. But the limitations of a regular student's pocket kept them from indulging their taste buds in the many tastes of the world! They would make peace with a Satyaniketan egg roll (a famous food joint near Sri Venkateshwara college), McDonald's, KFC, or steaming hot momos from the roadside stalls. Hey, don't judge! They didn't have a great pocket money to splurge.

So D asked T, "How about we eat something nice to fix your mood?" T brightened up a bit and agreed without second thought. Yes, they loved eating!

A jolly good bus ride later they parked themselves at Pizza Hut. The "meal for 1" offer looked quite appealing to them, and their pockets. They weren't so hungry anyway. T started to relax a little and looked less upset.

Done with the pizza, it was time for desserts. They loved ice cream and a scoop was included in the offer. While waiting for the dessert, little did they expect what was in store for them, and that this moment will change their lives forever.

Their server came swooshing out of the kitchen with a plate. And there it was — their ice cream, and an extra scoop. They had not expected to get the extra scoop of ice cream. They were very touched by the gesture, by the kindness of the server. He could have just brought the one scoop that was part of the offer and be done with his job. But he went out of his way to give them an extra one. It became the most memorable moment for the two best friends. And T's sorrows melted away.

True story this! It's been almost 10 years now, but that evening is etched in my best friend and my memory forever. That extra scoop of ice cream will make us smile for the rest of our lives.

How many people do you know who do this? Usually, if you're two people at a table and order one item to share, you're looked down upon. Either you get frowned at or get a blank questioning look that translates to "and what more"! But all this man did was smile and understand the situation.

Although it was not really a life-changing event, it taught us that anyone can be kind, and happiness can come in many ways and forms. Isn't that right? Do you and your best friend have a similar story? Oh! And did I tell you about the day I met happiness at a grocery store?

Story of the Fine Lines on Her Face

She has her opinions about Russia and talks like she's friends with Putin.
She tells me what Manmohan Singh should have done to be a better prime minister.
She tends to her tulsi garden that feels so pure and smells so divine.
She'll give the best athletes a run for their medals with the way she runs around the house and the yard.
She says there's a secret to her energy, but doesn't shy away from spilling the beans.
She's ready to take the world after downing a big mug full of Complan.
She fluently recites verses in Sanskrit from her college speech.
The words flow effortlessly from her lips as if she's reading them out.
She can't start her day without the newspaper and has to read it all.
She has world history on her fingertips and shares it with the bubbling enthusiasm of a highschool kid.
No, she's not 20, nor is she 30.
She's my granny, who's all but 90.

When I think how I can't do a petty this or a pettier that,
She reminds me of her child-like curiosity and enthusiasm to do all of this and learn all of that.
We have decades between us.
Yet, I have so much to learn from her.
The soft skin on her face and the fine lines have a story to tell.
A story of her dedication to everything she's done and is still doing.
She doesn't crib for what she doesn't have or didn't do,
But shows off her tulsi garden with pride, smiling a toothless smile.
She inspires me in her own sweet way.
She's confident, she's happy.
For me she's a woman of substance.
She's my sweet little granny.