Female Protagonist of my book: Avanti

“Come on Engineers! Get-up and freshen yourselves. I have got you special tea”. Both the sides of the black dilapidated door swung open. The three engineers were all cuddled-up in a double-bed. It was neither the fresh breeze of misty air nor the direct sunlight of the now open door that made the boys immediately get-up and take notice. It was rather the sweet voice that interrupted their deep slumber. The ‘neem’ filtered sun rays had come right through the door into their eyes. Their half woken eyes went into ‘STARE’ mode on finding the ‘Goddess of Himalayas’ at their doorsteps. As a mechanical engineer, one never expects such a great start to the day.
Avanti stood as epitome of beauty with a tea kettle in her right hand. Her long hair now soaked in sunlight from behind, created a mysterious halo. The curls of her hair kept blowing on her face; seemingly the breeze was saluting to her beauty. The dazzling and alluring face with her forehead smeared with flame-colored ‘Tilaka’ made her look as pristine as snow from the Himalayan peaks. The silvery ear rings resembling intertwined snakes took the attention away from her perfectly shaped collar-bone; disguised unsuccessfully by aqua-green beaded necklace. Equally magnetic, were her eyes; as if telling a hundred stories. The violet colored round necked t-shirt matched colorfully with the ‘kaleidoscopic’ wrap around. Her taut outfit mesmerized the three boys from the sex-starved nation. A single anklet on the left foot and an identically designed bracelet on the right hand (placed comfortably on her waist) would make anyone rate her high on the fashion quotient.

More on 'her' later. For latest updates - Subscribe 'NOW'

30 Years on Planet Earth

When you are young, you never think of life beyond 30. I, now have to, because what I have been dreading has just gone by. I am 30 years old now. I managed to skip the sight of a ‘small bright white pineapple cake with 30 candles pierced mercilessly’. However, I can still imagine the sight. Thirty candles would not leave out enough space for the text ‘HAPPY B’DAY UTSAV’ to stand out. I see ‘HAPPY’ being bludgeoned by the candles, suggesting my state of mind. I am depressed because I am old.

So you grow wise with your age, so you are respected more, so your opinions have more weight, so you are financially independent, so the world is your oyster…Bull Shit (pardon). I am still as (un)wise as I have been, I still behave like a 15 years old and I am more financially dependant.


Despite being shown the brighter side, I still fear the changes that will come with age:

· I will grow older and not better. I dread the fat deposits on my face and else where. Exercise won’t help me, I am sure
· I will have to go for regular health check-up. This is expected out of all people more than thirty.
· My investments will now be more in pensions and retirement plans.
· My vacations will increasingly become more of sight-seeing and less of adventurous.
· The white streak of hair that will pronounce in me despondency if not ‘old’ age.
· Declining inclination of fairer sex and ever tightening and entangling web of life and its responsibilities.

This sounds really miserable. Isn’t it? Yes, if one’s mind ages with age. Since, in my mind, I am still 15 years old, the charm of ‘living’ far outweighs the calendar entry called ‘age’. Thus, I look forward to:
This sounds really miserable. Isn’t it? Yes, if one’s mind ages with age. Since, in my mind, I am still 15 years old, the charm of ‘living’ far outweighs the calendar entry called ‘age’. Thus, I look forward to:

· The ability to plan my life, the way I want it.
· Switching my career pursuant to my hobbies
· Fathering a new generation and grow old with it
· And above all ‘LIVING LIFE’

As an ending note, Can a thirty year old still be called in his late twenties? It sounds good somehow.

India's Change

I don’t know how the phrase ‘India’s Century’ became part of our daily diction. Perhaps it was Rajiv Gandhi’s stubborn dream of 21st century India followed by India’s giant leaps towards economic liberation. Perhaps it was the Pokhran nuclear tests that announced India’s arrival to the covert club of ‘cream of the crop’ countries. Whatever be the genesis, it seemed to be India’s century – India’a IT Super Stardom and India’s brain gain. Now, India has gone a notch ahead. We have India’s 9/11 and more recently India’s Enron.

I read somewhere - "It's not important how you start, but how you finish – India Next". What follows Next? As Obama Presidency arrives, we wait for India's CHANGE. Anyone out there?