Tuesday, December 20, 2005

I am ashamed!

We (me and 2 friends of mine) were out to book a costume for a function at office. It was busy road in the heart of the Pune city and as usual had no space to park the vehicle. So I did wait for someone to move their vehicle so that I could park mine. By then succumbing to the frustration of lack of space my other two friends had parked their vehicle right in the gate of this building where this costume shop is situated. We were accompanied by another friend who was now talking with me as the other friend was on the business to book to costume. Some time passed by me and the friend discussed so many different topics. Then came an old couple, in the late 50s and uncle saw the vehicle and was all furious!!

"Are you people illiterate? Do you people NOT have ANY sense of parking?"

Now this was fine. We were at fault I said sorry, and the friend moved the vehicle, made way for the uncle to pass by; But uncle insisted that we remove the vehicle from that place and when I tried convincing him otherwise was firing all guns out, arguing with me. I also got carried away in the heat of the air and started arguing with him! In the same heat I did shout at him! I felt bad! I do not like shouting at elders! I do not do that come what may! Today that principle of mine was torn to pieces by none other than myself! I stopped the argument, just did not answer to him pulled vehicle aside.

The aunty who was till now aggressive now went in some consolidation mode! This made me more ashamed! I had a question; did I act in a fashion that made her feel insecure that I might turn hostile? Now that was it! I just lost all my anger and a feeling of guilt had filled me!

I feel I should be more careful acting with elders hence forth! But then I still have some questions un-answered! How does one look (with respect) at elderly people who always overlook the rules themselves and ask us the "Younger" generation to stay by them? for e.g. if you have to cross a road light might be green for vehicles these elderly people just walk in the middle; risking their own life. When confronted by a youngster they end up telling him, you guys do NOT follow traffic rules!!! Now, what would they tell, should the guy riding the bike is another uncle?

Well, whatever be the standards the old people follow! I feel I should stick to my principles and not shout at them or show any sort of disrespect towards them! I shall take care!

posted by Rudra aka Atul Shashank Kulkarni @ 9:22 AM 3 comments

Care and love! It can change the world!

This IS NOT MY OWN WORK! All CREDITS TO WHOEVER WROTE IT. I Just blog it here as I liked the way human being treats another "Specially Abled" kid.
Subject: Two Choices

What would you do? You make the choice! Don't look for a punch line; There isn't one! Read it anyway. My question to all of you is: Would you have made the same choice?

At a fundraising dinner for a school that serves learning disabled children,the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question: "When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does is done with perfection. Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do. Where is the natural order of things in my son?"

The audience was stilled by the query.

The father continued. "I believe,that when a child like Shay, physically and mentally handicapped comes into the world, an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes, in the way other people treat that child."Then he told the following story:

Shay and his father had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked,"Do you think they'll let me play?" Shay's father knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but the father also understood that if his son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in
spite of his handicaps.

Shay's father approached one of the boys on the field and asked if Shay could play, not expecting much. The boy looked around for guidance and said, "We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning."

Shay struggled over to the team's bench put on a team shirt with a broad smile and his Father had a small tear in his eye and warmth in his heart. The boys saw the father's joy at his son being accepted. In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three. In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right field. Even though no hits
came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as his father waved to him from the stands. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again. Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat.
At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game? Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible 'cause Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball. However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognizing the other team putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life,
moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least be able to make contact. The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed. The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay. As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher. The game would now be over, but the pitcher picked up the soft
grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game.
Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the head of the first baseman, out of reach of all team mates. Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, "Shay, run to first! Run to first!" Never in his life had Shay ever ran that far but made it to first base. He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled.
Everyone yelled, "Run to second, run to second!" Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to second base. By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had the ball, the smallest guy on their team, who had a chance to be the hero for his team for the first time. He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman
for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions and he too intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman's head. Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home.

All were screaming, "Shay, Shay, Shay, all the Way Shay" Shay reached third base, the opposing shortstop ran to help him and turned him in the direction of third base, and shouted, "Run to third! Shay, run to third" As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams and those watching were on their feet were screaming, "Shay, run home! Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the "grand slam" and won the game for his team.

That day, said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world.
Shay didn't make it to another summer and died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making his Father so happy and coming home and seeing his Mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!



posted by Rudra aka Atul Shashank Kulkarni @ 9:12 AM 0 comments

Friday, December 16, 2005

You can not sit there. It is reserved for Ladies!!!!!

You enter a bus seemingly empty! But remember empty only on the right hand side front seats and yet few men standing. Some ladies sitting on the left side and chatting away to glory! Just then a gentleman walks in and sits on the seat on the right as it was empty and well to his surprise he is confronted by the Pune Municipal Transport (PMT) checkers who claim that the gentleman is guilty of sitting on the Ladies reserved seat, although it was empty, although there lady passengers in the bus who could have occupied those seats vacating the "Non -Reserved" ones for the men standing in the queue. But "NO" neither the authorities understand the ground reality while making the "Reservation" rule nor do the people who take advantage try to understand it.

The reservation for women in the bus was one of the funniest rules I have seen being made in y life. Going by this rate please do not be surprised if you end up at a "Govt. Controlled Store" need a life saving drug, have 3 counters two with 10 people waiting in each and the 3rd absolutely empty coz it is reserved for some people may be "Officers" or may be "Ladies" or may be "Backward Class". What would you do but to curse yourself being in a country who is still reeling in the realm of "Reservations!!!" right from house of representatives to the bus sitting arrangement!! All have reservation of some or the other type.

posted by Rudra aka Atul Shashank Kulkarni @ 9:39 AM 4 comments


There he is! Trying to fight the odds of Trees and Night! Right side he has already enlightened it is time he does the left side as well!! Posted by Picasa

posted by Rudra aka Atul Shashank Kulkarni @ 4:19 AM 0 comments

Monday, December 12, 2005

Pre-Marital Sex!

Last week Pune Times came out with a an article with a flashy head line about this topic. The article was claiming some figures about young India's perception of "Pre Marital Sex" and their openness to it. I almost let this article pass out of mind until it was yesterday, that I was asked to present my views by two of my close friends about this topic. Though the topic was a little digressed more towards our group and we guys in person. I was caught little off guard!


It all started with a situation where in I am in the US and "Unmarried", would i go the path to lose my Virginity with a person other than my “would be” life partner? or resist from it and present my self Virgin to my future life partner? The answer was clear to me and I gave it with no ambiguity too booth of them! This was the second path I would take and be patient! But, one of us had some other ideas and was of the opinion that, we might miss something, if we do not live that moment in life and "enjoy" at that very moment in our life.
Later the discussion moved over to another topic, this time one which almost took me by surprise again. "What is a chance that you would get a Virgin wife?" I was not expecting this to be a topic discussed with most us barring me saying "very less chance" and making remarks like what is the guaranty that she has not had affairs earlier!

What took me off was the uncertainty and suspicion they for their future life partners! I mean if people take this stand and start doubting their life partners they would barely be able to live their life with any peace. It is really the emotional bond you establish with your life partner that last for long than the other marital attractions. It is important that you accept your life partner as he/she is and not try to peel off the past every now and then that would make your relationship a one with bruises and bitterness than a one with sweetness and love! To many in the twenties love means/resembles lust! May be in the initial stage of marriage it might be true, to not so some extent, but then that does not really last for long!!(That’s what I have read at least!!!)

If fact yesterday's discussion reached a stage where I was told it could destroy the entire family (parents and siblings!) if your life partner has had any Pre-Marital Affairs or Pre-Marital Sex!
Now for that matter I would say even if you get a "Virgin Partner" (per say) but due to some reason of your own you go own to have an Extra Marital Affair! Now what? Who is betraying the partner? Who is at fault? This discussion can lead to a very very personal part of someone's life where only good people to comment are the two partners involved! I would rather like to keep away from this analysis as I feel this is really not needed! The base line is it is not important if you get a Virgin life partner, but it is utmost important if you get a partner who cares for you, loves you for being with him/her, and commits to be with you all the life!

Rather than discussing if I would get a Virgin life partner I would suggest, do think on building a relationship and a bond of love and care with your life partner. That would help a lot in future. Thinking "if I would get a Virgin life partner?" only sends negative Vibes through your mind and sets it up for a wrong and biased analysis of the situation. Hence avoid such thoughts and live happily!

Cheers!

posted by Rudra aka Atul Shashank Kulkarni @ 7:21 AM 0 comments