sUrReAl RiDe

The big metal snake wringling through the concerete jungle and the green alike, carrying in its belly score of people with various destinations to reach through, well, look it a bit closer its our very own train.

Its been almost fourteen years for me since I set my foot on a train station and it seems, I havent missed much. Coincidentally or what the slithering or bovine metal beast still misses the clock more then often. But having been missing from action so long, I cant treat all its brethrens alike, it could very well be some spat of fate. Being in Delhi and having been used the Metro rail facility I wonder how many years it would take for our Indian stations to be spick and span like a dirt road. When at the clock's rung the train screeches on its metal track. I guess more than longer, looking at the way things are. But whatever the indian train holds, it still has its own nostalgia and a different sort of charm.



My journey was from Delhi to Moradabad, a small town in UP also called the brass haven. Its strange how a small microcasm exists under this very metal roof, with people sharing in their laughs once or twice, or for the more brazen ones a comment or two. Almost any topic seems to be fine to pass the way out, from the goverment squabbles to the state of education and eroding values, yes sir, you will get and hear and shun it all. If you are traveling in an AC tier then the strange black glazed mirrors almost alienates you from the world outside, with beds stacked one over another, fans whiring, and lights flickering the dimly lit house almost seem hynotically surreal, as if the time had surely slowed down in this part of the world.

With every train station the all to familiar call of station tea (chai-chai) to pakodas of every shape and size. Going through the ever changing scenery one living in a city like delhi can't fail to realize that there is still much to change on the scene outside.

I guess an airport in every big city will still take time, till then the train will surely be there for an all to familiar ride. Enjoi the joyride!

To the roots

"Veni, vidi, scribo" which would roughly translate to "I came, I saw, I wrote" or in technically correct grammatical form "now I write" (don't ask me the correct Latin). I had intended to write a travelogue but instead found something quite more exciting then the mountain or the streams. In my trip to Germany my last camp-site was at a friend's home in Switzerland, they are a mixed couples wherein the gal is from Bangalore and guy from Switzerland. (For ease will refer them F & M respectively as they both have same letters in their first name. Hmmmph). In the evening of the first day stay we were planned to visit a get together of similar Indian families out here or mixed couples if you say so.

I was happy and exhilarated to see the effort made by most of these families to hold on to their Indian roots and an equally similar effort, made in inculcating these Indian values in their children. I guess its well said that "The importance of something is understood the most, by whom the least get"

For almost living for three weeks in a foreign land my mind was searching for a common slot or hand, and seeing them cackle in glory almost made me feel at home. They have planned to meet each other at their homes in rotation, but what was more commendable is the camaraderie and zest in organising and keeping these bonds alive, everybody brought one indian dish or the other to contribute to the potluck (and I still can't forget the fish curry. Hmmmph). I faint to remember if we friends so occasionally met back home, here being so close is the paradox of being so far, and I guess we have taken each other for granted and finally its the excuse of a fast life which seems to always fill the gaps. But then I wonder don't these people have a fast life, I know they do, but out here they also realise what's important and have made the effort likewise.

Back home I mean at my friends place after dinner we use to talk about many topics centering about the differences and the points of commonality which sets us apart and also makes two people close. Ofcourse there are both good and bad points, but at the end ain't it our all long endeavour to evolve, out here they get to see and implement the best of both worlds, east and west. And don't ask me which one is the best, neither, its what these kids reflect out as they grow to become the epitome of two melting cultures. I wish them and their families the Best of lucks.

May their potlucks never run dry!!