by Ramesh Iyer
****This is just a theory, not necessarily I believe in this ****
This theory is based on one sentence "What starts need to end"
If there is a beginning with 'big bang' then there is an end with 'black hole'. If there is a start with a bright sunny day then there is an end to it with black dark night. If there is hot summer then there is a cold chilling winter to end it.
So why humans came to this world, are we the protector of this world or we came to destroy it, is a big question?
We humans are also a form of animal but with a difference, look at every animal, they all have a set pattern of life and a defined life style and all of them follow it properly, but we humans like to sorry love to break all the rules of the nature.
We came in this world as nomad, but we started living in society. We were suppose to eat fruits from the tree and hunt animal whenever we are hungry, but we started growing fruits, vegetables, grains and breed (no more hunting) animal and kill them (to our convenience) to eat it, if we can't eat them we still kill them and wear their skin or make ornaments from their tusks and wear them.
We cut trees to make roads and cities, we created dams to store water for our benefit, we create island in the sea because we wanted it, we cut the land and make way to sea because it made our life easy.
We are increasing in numbers day in and day out and killing all other species and destroying specimens like trees, lakes, rivers, seas, mountains etc., we are almost thru with this task now is the final frontier we have to kill ourselves and destroy this world, People like Osama, Bush, Hitler, Dawood are doing a great job by killing 10's and 20's thousands people, if they miss their target then there is tsunami, hurricanes, volcano burst, earth quakes, floods and famines to remind us.
Why are we different from other species, why we break laws of the nature and we love to do that. That makes me think that we came here to destroy everything, we cut trees and mountains to make beautiful cities for us to live in it, we dig the earth to extract gold, diamond and other minerals, we drill it to extract oil from it, now when we ran out of ideas to rape it we plant nuclear bomb in it and blast it to test the power and assault it, that makes me think that, this is our purpose, that's why we came to this world to bring an end to it. We already have nuclear power to destroy this world 10+ times why aren't we using it.
We still have pending jobs to be done, there is still 4000 tigers alive in the world, we still have rain forest, arctic still have ice cover on it, there are still fresh water lakes and rivers available, rainy season in India still starts at end of June, there are people who still believes in humanity and talks about peace and brotherhood.
People talk about humanity, peace and brotherhood are the real terrorist, they are coming in path of the real human and coming as hindrance to their mission to end this world. We will soon be success on the evil force of people talking about peace and humanity and let the success prevail on us.
Verma Madam
In one of our whatsapp group we were talking about Verma madam, one of the most loved teacher of our time, I recollect a very beautiful incident of her.
I was suffering from typhoid just before the 9th final exam, I recovered from the typhoid but was still very weak and was getting frequent vomiting. My mom went to see the school management, Verma madam was the vice principal at that time, though my mom went to see the principal Ghosh madam, because she was busy, my mom had to see Verma madam.
My mom requested Verma madam if she can make some special arrangement, so that when I am giving my exam, I am not disturbance to others because of sickness. Verma madam as we all know the most humble and soft spoken teacher, she requested my mom to show my half yearly mark sheet, my mom was carrying that, and she produced it to her, after seen my mark sheet, she just smiled and said to my mom, look at his mark sheet 12/150 in maths, when he his health was ok, now when he is sick, what are you expecting from him, let him take rest, we will promote him to 10th, but make sure you put him in some tuition and guide him properly for 10th board exam.
Best option was to put me under Verma madam's guidance. she did her best and I passed 10th board, in maths I scored 121/150. If it was not Verma Madam, I am sure I would not have passed 10th board.
From 12/150 to 121/150 that was no less than miracle, and the miracle was done by Verma madam.
Gulf Diary - The Beginning
Remembering when it all started. Exactly 23 years back.
Finally the day has come when I will be leaving for Saudi Arabia after exactly two months 3 Feb. 1993 night. I was suppose to fly on 3 Dec. 1992 but unfortunate incident of Babri Masjid happened and I had to wait in the burning Bombay, that's a different story, I will narrate it sometime later, today let's concentrate on the beginning of a new phase in my life. Travel to the Gulf
I was very happy as well as very nervous. Happy because I always wanted to come to Gulf for the work, Nervous because, I did not had any idea about Saudi Arabia and N number of cheat stories of how people got cheated in pretext of getting jobs in Gulf, to make it worse whole lot of Hindu visas had been canceled after the Babri Masjid incident, we were few lucky people whose visas were not canceled.
On 3rd night I reached Bombay International airport. That was the first time I was about to travel in the flight. Gulf Air to Riyadh Via Abu Dhabi, around 3 hours break journey.
Coming from smaller place Nagpur, Bombay always fascinated me, big buildings, beaches, big roads, fast cars. I reached the International airport, if you remember the very old terminal, box building with nice arches, the departure was at the first floor and the road would directly lead to the first floor, I was quite impressed with that architecture. I reached a couple of hours ahead of the scheduled time, beginning of Feb. decent chillness was there in the air, before I was allowed enter the concourse I was roaming around outside, to keep myself warm I must have had 4-5 cups of tea. I reached the Immigration, double checked, triple checked all my documents before entering, there were lots of labor class passengers wandering around, looking somewhat confused state, Security guys after checking my papers, guided me towards the immigration counter handing the immigration forms, after filling my forms, I also helped filling the forms for 3-4 other passengers, between these labors I could see one decent face, who was approx of my age, looked much matured and composed, we exchanged a couple of smile whilst helping filling the forms, didn't knew that next two years every day I will be spending with this guy and he will become one of the best memories of my life, and I will be learning so many thing from him, meet Sachin Walwaker.
We were inside the flight and Sachin was seated next to me, we still did not exchanged conversation, just a smile.
We had a break journey at Abu Dhabi, flight was suppose to take off after 3 hours, we were allowed to roam around at the duty free area, ok duty free was new concept for me at that time. Coming from Bombay airport which was very flat but quite functional airport to Abu Dhabi airport, I was about to get my first shock which would be followed by shock after shock for next 7-10 days. BTW I am talking about pleasant shocks. Yeah! I enter the duty free area of Abu Dhabi airport, Cute little but beautiful area, I was amazed to see such a beautiful architecture, I was awed. Just 8 terminals, a central column from the center spreading to the circumference, with two colored hexagons spreading blue and white, from the centre small blue hexagons traveling towards circumference with increasing size and from circumference white small hexagons traveling towards centre with increasing size, beautifully done. Sparkling neat and clean with glittering shops and cafes. I was thinking was this for real, can anything be so beautiful, I didn't know what's up next. Riyadh airport.
At the Duty free area, with Sachin I interacted much more than a smile, I guess we had coffee together, but still did not exchanged personal details.
Landing time at Riyadh airport. We came out of flight, enter the concourse........... Jaws dropped, eyes become two inch bigger, did not wanted it to blink, I couldn't believe, I was not dead and th
is is not heaven. Very high ceiling, if Abu Dhabi duty free was glittering this was 10x glittering. Huge massive golden palm trees, escalators, marble flooring, massive columns, bright lights, beautiful palm trees and sparkling clean.
Finished our immigration, Jacob was waiting for us, now I came to know that Sachin is also joining the same company. We got into Jacob's car, Toyota Camry, after traveling in Bombay Kali Pili taxi, this was unbelievable, huge leg space, comfortable seats (no metal spring piercing my bum) nice music. We came out of parking space to the main road, Jacob was greeting us and was and enquiring about the journey, but I was not at all interested in his talk, all I was looking was out of the window, blazing speed (140 kmph) the car was travelling, at this speed other cars goes zip and overtaking us, 6 lane roads, smooth roads and the huge massive sodium vapor lights which were lighting up the roads, looked like a golden necklace.
We reached our villa, where all the arrangements were made for us, on this same day there were another 15 odd staff from India were joining the company, me and Sachin were the only two non mallus, so it was decided that we share the room together. When we started our journey from Bombay the temperature was approx 20 degree and then all thru we did not had any idea what is outside temperature as we were traveling in air conditioned area, though when we landed in Riyadh airport they announced the outside temperature but we completely ignored it. As we were settling down slowly the cold started catching us, outside temperature was 4 degree and it was effing freezing, we immediately got into the quilt which was provided to us, though there was a bit of relief but it was still very cold, those days no mobile phones, no land line at home, no emails, no internet and no google, to communicate about our safety we were suppose to write letter, but it was so cold that our fingers were frozen and we could not hold the pen and write. Office was pretty warm, but when we reach our room it was very cold, assuming everyone must be facing the same, we did not discussed this issue with our colleague. This went on for a week, Thursday came, Sachin informed me that he has invited a friend. Sachin's friend came, he came with his daughter approx 7-8 months old, as soon as he came to our room he said "pretty cold over here" Sachin and me just looked at each other and spoke in our mind "effing 4 degree outside, will it not be cold you idiot" Sachin's friend just moved towards the window AC, switched it on and turn the knob to warm......... 15 seconds just 15 seconds the room was WARM, we just looked at each other with an strange idiotic look, friend was there for a hour and left, we send him off and came back to room and both of us speak together "DID YOU KNEW THAT?" "NO", and we were rolling on the floor laughing. Coming from a middle class family both of us never knew that AC do have a warm option too, all we assumed is AC is only for cooling, before coming to Saudi the impression we had was Saudi is a desert country and must be hot and we did not had a single warm cloths and Feb. being the peak of winter.
First week of our visit in Riyadh, we use to walk around the neighborhood to get familiar with place, but we couldn't see people walking around, all we could see people in cars, though it was decently dense residential area, after sometime we started getting bit tense on not seeing people on road, we discussed this with our next room occupant our senior architect Rudy, he said just wait for the weekend and he will take us to Batha where we can see whole lot of people and we will get sick of seeing them. Coming from Bombay and Sachin from Pune we were so use to see people, that too I was coming from Bombay when it curfew hit. Yes, Friday came Rudy took us to Batha a market place where we saw crowds of people, which brought somewhat relief to us.
There is whole lot of things to be shared about our Riyadh stay, Zarir street, Zarir book store, KFC, Batha, Olaiya, foot ball stadium, share taxi, long walks, eat all you can, Zia sir, Ganguly sir, Jacob, our boss and Mahavir.
That's how my Gulf journey started. 23 years still very fresh in memory.
Pony Fityali
Morning 9 am I was sitting at the restaurant down my residence, having a cup of tea and bread butter (maska pav). My phone rings. It was Dinesh on the other end.
Dinesh "Bhaiya , do you remember, Mala, she is dead"
Me "What happened?"
Dinesh "She was overweight, had a heart problem, I guess it was because of that"
Me "Does Poney knows that"
Dinesh "Yes, he does, I am on my way to pick him up, and then I will pick you, we will go to pay our last respect to her, at her residence"
Me "Ok, I will wait for you"
10 am, Dinesh's call
Dinesh "Bhaiya I am down, please come down"
Me "I will be right there"
Dinesh was in his car, down my building, at the front seat Pony was sitting, playing games on his mobile.
As soon as I entered the car
Pony and Dinesh together "Namaste Bhaiya"
Me "Namaste"
Me "Pony, Do you have any Idea, what happened"
Pony Continued playing games on his mobile "Bhaiya, I have no Idea, she was not in touch with me since last three months"
11 am at Mala's Residence
Host of relatives and friends were there to pay their last respect to Mala, which makes us believe that she was quite popular and loved one. Pony was glancing around the crowd. We proceeded toward Mala's father
Dinesh to Mala's father "We are very sorry to hear about your daughter, if needed any support from our side please let us know"
Mala's father "Thanks. Mala spoke to me about you and pony very often"
Dinesh "what happened, all of a sudden"
Mala's father "She was suffering from a rare heart decease, the medicines kept her eyes weak and obese, Last 4 weeks she was in ICU finally succumbed to it"
Dinesh "we been her friend for last 4 years and she never told about this to us"
Mala's father "She never wanted her friends or our relatives to know about her health, only me and my wife knew about this"
Dinesh "We will take a leave, but please do let us know, if any help is needed from our side"
Mala's father "Sure beta"
Dinesh to Pony " Let's move"
Pony "Ok"
Mala young around 26 year old girl, overweight approx 110Kgs Dark, tall with high power glasses. She was a business woman, running a ball bearing manufacturing unit. She was the girl friend of Pony. Looks can be deceiving, she was one of with a golden heart.
Pony son of a police officer, divorced school teacher mother, young around 26 years old guy, 6'2" tall attractive smart, Once again looks can be deceiving, he was lazy, good for nothing, sweet talker, habitual liar, selfish, if needed will resort to stealing as well, One good thing about him was, he never passed any comments on Mala's appearance. His typical day would start at 11 am, get ready to move out by 5 pm and end up in some bar drinking alcohol, smoke, food and drugs and the day would end at morning 3 am.
How Pony and Mala end up being boyfriend girlfriend we never bothered to know.
Dinesh, Pony's childhood friend and my younger brother.
A typical day of Mala, she would wake up early, get ready, go to her ball bearing factory, oversee the manufacturing, call / meet prospective clients, windup by 3 pm, go home have her lunch and take a short nap, by 6.30 pm meet Pony and spend her evening till late with him.
A typical day of Pony, he would wake up by around 11 am, wake up with a headache (typically a hangover) serve himself a cup of tea and couple slice of bread and butter. Get freshen up and check the wardrobe of his father to flick some money from his kitty, if money is not available, he would take his motorcycle and visit any of the bar from his father's territory and collect money in the pretext of his father's name. Mala would come to meet him by 6.30 pm and every day session of Booze, Disco, Food and Drugs would continue till late night 3 am.
A typical day together of Pony and Mala. When they meet, first thing they do, would be fight, fight would be about Pony's lifestyle, Mala would suggest him to get organized and ask him to look out for some job and get settled, that would go on till
8.30 pm slowly would get settled and would go for the first round of alcohol than food more alcohol and drugs. Many times Mala would pay the bills, she would drop pony to his residence and proceed to her home.
A week after the death of Mala.
Sunday morning 11 am
Pony just woke up, preparing his cup of tea, his father was coming out from the restroom after having his bath, there was a knock on the door, Pony's father opens the door to see three gentleman.
Pony's father "May I help you"
Visitors "We came to see Paramjeet singh Yadav"
Pony's father "Oh that's my son Pony" "Who are you?"
Visitor "I am Mala D'costa's father, this is her uncle and that's our lawyer"
Pony's father "Pony, there is visitors for you with a lawyer, what did you do this time?"
Pony "Namaste Uncle, is everything ok"
Lawyer "Mala and you? were you married?"
Pony " Hmmm.... Ammm... yes around two years back, we got married in court"
Pony " But we never stayed together"
Lawyer "You have to come to the court, we would like to read out Mala's will, in front of the Judge and her witness"
Pony "What?"
Pony's father "What?"
Lawyer "Yes, she had left host of properties left for you"
Pony "Hmmm... Ammm."
Lawyer "Yes, but there are few terms and conditions, which we want to read it out for you"
Mala's father "Yes, my son, now that Mala is no more, we want to fulfill all her wishes, she did spoke to me about her will, during her last days"
Lawyer "Please make sure you are available on coming Wednesday at the court"
Pony "Amm..... sure"
Pony's father "Yes yes he will, I will bring him over"
Mala's will, she left her Factory, Bank balance, car and few more properties on Pony's name, but she kept a clause that all these assets will be transferred to his name only after 3 years, till that time he will be paid a salary of 25,000 Rs per month, for which he had to come to the factory and work as a manager and abide the HR policy of the company, work timing would be 9 hrs a day and the day would start at 8.30 am and 6 days a week, failing of which would be deduction in salary. There would be a committee who would be monitoring this, dissatisfaction of this committee on his performance means, the factory would merge into family business and all other property will go into charity and Pony will be given 2,00,000 Rs as full and final benefits, no salary or any other benefits after that. Whilst Mala was alive, she couldn't bring Pony into terms, her vision was, this might bring decent change to Pony's lifestyle. She really loved Pony a lot. Did Pony had the same lover for her?
Everyone thought, lady luck has been kind on him, now his life will come on right track, all he need to do is lead a decent lifestyle for three years.
Pony also thought, that he should take this seriously and take right actions, he started going to factory regularly, he got his first salary full, on time.
Slowly old Pony started coming to action, he started being absent in the factory, started showing disinterest in factory, it was too much for him to get up early, go to work, be there for 9 hrs. Within 6 months his performance came to zero, the committee which has setup, proved in the court of law that he has not full filling the clause setup by Mala for him. He was given 2,00,000 Rs as final settlement and got removed from Mala's will.
As expected Pony finished these 2,00,00 Rs in Alcohol, disco and drugs within 3 months.
During this period, Pony's father also got retired and shifted to his native village.
Pony being alone, with no money, no work and no support, as his father is no longer in police, bar owners stopped obliging him. Due to short of funds Pony restored to country liquor, soon his health started getting affected.
Few months later
I receive a call from Dinesh
Dinesh "Bhaiya, Pony is in a bad state"
Me "What happened?"
Dinesh "He is in hospital, Doctors are giving up on him"
Me "That's sad"
Dinesh "We need to pay a visit to him"
Me "When?"
Dinesh "I will be there in an hour, is that fine for you?"
Me "yes"
Dinesh "See you then"