GIBBERISHTALK-"SOLAR EFFECTS!!"

"SO, WHAT WERE YOUR OBSERVATIONS??", the question boomed through the other end of the phone..

"Sir…that sir…"

"What 'Sir and that sir' and all?? The Environment minister Mr.Nutcase Ramesh is breathing down my neck, demanding me to submit a report on the effects of Solar eclipse on the wildlife and what am I gonna reply, eh?? I need your observations...So what happened??"

"Sir..that sir…"

"See Mr.Sembulingam, you had received my orders to do a survey on the same..and now you say, you did nothing??"

"Sir, we have captive animals here..I kind of observed them the whole day.."

"Ah! Good!! Captive animals eh?? How did the Tigers, Elephants and Rhinos react to the eclipse?"

"Um..Sir, we do not have them…."

"Hippos, Girraffes?"

"Not quitely, sir….."

"Then what do you have captive?"

"sir, a Venomous spider, a biting Parakeet and Bichu."

"And what in God's name might be 'Bichu'?"

"oh! Bichu is my pet fish in the aquarium."

"Mr.SEMBU, ARE YOU MAKING FUN OF ME??? AND YOU OBSERVED THESE THINGS THE ENTIRE DAY???"

"No sir, no offence meant..But, yes, I was dedicated to this work the whole day..and I have come to a unique conclusion.."

"Now you are talking Sembu!!Good Job!! And what did you conclude?"

"Sir, the Spider as always, hid itself beneath a log from the sun 2 hours before the eclipse. Half an hour into the eclipse, it continued in the same position it had assumed earlier, and in the peak of the eclipse….."

"Yes, at the peak??"

"It still remained in the same position as before!!"

"WHAT???"

"Yes sir, so I concluded that the eclipse had no effect on the spider.."

"But that won't do….."

Sir, alas, that is the truth.."

"No, you could have missed something..Something unusual has to happen..You sure Sembu?"

"Maybe it might be due to the partial eclipse here, sir, but the Spider, the Parakeet, why, even Bichu led its normal life…The flowers bloomed as usual, bees flew and birds chirped…All was normal."

"Um..So without anything unusual, what do I report to Mr.Nutcase?? He would boil my brains and eat my head!!"

"Sir, there was another observation..the eclipse did affect one group however.."

"Who? The Ginearhinus momos?"

"No sir…Homo sapiens..us sir.."

"How?"

"Sir, it was only a partial eclipse, yet I had to grant leave for most of my staff. The servant would not come at home, wife would not cook food, hell, the soothsayers all boasted how truly their prediction on the end of the universe was finally gonna be fulfilled…"

"Um..Even I was on leave, Sembu…"

"Sir, then this is my observation sir..Solar eclipse, be it partial, total or even quarter if there is any, brings about a kind of social reclusiveness and burrowing habits in humans, who hide deep in their dens and fear to come out, to even eat on the day..while all other creatures freely lead a normal day, Humans hole themselves on the day……Clearly, the eclipse has induced a psychotic neuropathy in humans sir…."

The phone abruptly hung up in the other end..

Sembu smiled……..

GIBBERISH TALK-"NOT JUST A FOOT WEAR"

The ways I took had taken its toll on my shoes. It had completely worn out. Now to buy one, I had to go all the way and I hated that. My brother is very choosy about footwear. Not me…

During my siesta that noon, I suddenly had a vision. I was in a footwear shop. I wanted to finish the ordeal as soon as possible and intended to buy the very first one I saw. I was waiting for some one to show show me a pair, when I bumped into umm…Mahatma. He was standing there, in front, with a smile on his face. He offered me his pair of sandals. I looked at them. "It may not have the modern looks, it may be completely battered", Mahatma remarked, with the usual smile on his face. He continued, "but it sure is sturdy. It has taken me all through my journey, helping me stand straight, never faltering. Each step I took had taken me closer to my goal. Here, take them."

I was shocked!! Here was Mahatma offering me his sandals. I reached out my hands and took the sandals. But I could barely hold them. It weighed like nothing before.

That’s when I had the daunting realization..

These were the sandals that bore the expectations of a million of people…

These were the sandals that shook the foundations of an empire…

These were the sandals that left its footprints in the pages of history…

I turned and looked back at my own footprints. Barely visible…

How could I step into Mahatma's shoes??

Our history boasts of great men. The footprints they have left us have to be carried forward. The torch should continue glowing ahead. For that, each one of us have to step into their shoes…

So, the next time you go to buy a pair of shoes, remember not to be too hasty, for someone tomorrow will be there to fill in your shoes, to follow your footprints.

Let it be the right one...

GIBBERISH TALK-"THE PARADISE UNVIELED"

Water on Moon!!

Path breaking discovery..India's gift to the world..The face of moon re-written..A new age has been heralded when moon travelling has a whole new meaning..

The entire scientific community is upbeat about the endless possibilities this discovery has opened up..

"It's a game changer in the sense of future human exploration to the moon, in that now there is the potential of resources of water that future astronauts could tap so that we don't have to bring this water from Earth."

Ok..so we would one day tap water from moon. Bottled 'moon water' might be a possibility!!

Moon Water-'The low gravity Water'

But who is the real benefactor??

Of course, science has a lot to gain..but behind all the hungama, is a group of people, who are really ecstatic, who are not laughing out loud, yet cant hide the smile in their face..who else would need water as badly as the African countries for their existence, Yes.. the Beverages Corporation, especially that of Kerala..

No, seriously..Even Achu maman has to be happy..Reason: it’s a recognized fact that there is no place in the world where malayalees are not there, and the first thing that a malayalee does in a new place, besides hunting for the newspaper, is finding the cheapest route to the nearest Bevarages outlet!! If Kerala Beverages could open their outlet in moon, plus start a campaign against Videshi madya boorshas, rest assured, all the lunar malayalees would queue up. Beverages is one of the main source of income for our Govt. Add to the equation a 'lunar alcohol consumption regulation' tax ,and the Kerala govt would be set to mint money!!

Malayalees are looking for a reason to booze. It’s a must, for the birth of revolutionary artists, new political thoughts etc.. As soon as the shadows begin to lengthen by late evening, you can see people queuing up..no confusion..no hooliganism..all stand in a very serious, professional manner waiting for their chance..both the young and the old, rich and poor..one instance of equality that would make any comrade proud!! By late night, the roads are filled with people who have turned into snakes, crawling..into birds, soaring high..

In a place with gravity six times less than earth, these Ani-morphs could become monsters, jumping over craters and rocketing over mountains..(truly, Red bull would offer you something much more than wings!!). As I said before, the possibilities are endless!!

Lunar water and Kerala Beverages-ah, the dream team!!

I am no soothsayer, but the future surely looks 'LIGHTER"!!

GIBBERISH TALK-"VISUAL BLINDNESS"

I have heard that nights are followed by mornings..that each night, people sleep with the hope of waking to a beautiful dawn..I have heard that the sky is blue and roses red.. I have eaten Ice cream, but have always wondered how the cherry looked..I like Batman, for he is the Hero of the dark and like me, is forever associated with darkness…

Welcome to my world..

Darkness..Black is the colour of night..black is the colour of death..and black is the colour of my world..
Each night, I sleep into this darkness and next day, I wake into this darkness..Darkness has been my companion throughout..darkness is the only truth in my life..

Besides darkness, there is only one other person who knows me inside out..she is my life, my constant support..she is the one to whom I have confided all my fears and passions..she cannot speak, for nature has made her so, but her touches are so caring..so reassuring..
Love is blind and that suits me..

Thankful to my parents, I have always had things the way I wanted..I have a large room..and an entire bed for myself..at times, at night, I have stepped on people lying beside my bed, on the floor..mom later said, they were the servants in the house ,who were to look after me.. Mom always called me 'Raja' and I felt so too, my father had to be a king or something huge, to shower me all these luxuries..

But all was to change.. During a check up, one of the doctors deemed that after all, a surgery might sometimes restore some vision..the date was thus set..all preparations were made.. And throughout the chaos, I held her hands in mine and sat silently, wondering how my life was going to change forever!!

As the dressing was slowly removed, I barely heard what the doctor was saying, for I was so eager to experience this something new, this something that even words could not fully describe!! I wanted to see her..my parents..wanted to see colours..the cherry..batman, yes, why not? The whole experience of "experiencing the new" kept me in a bliss like never before..

Slowly the darkness began to fade..my companion was leaving me.. I shut my eyes tight, not to loose my companion..but the eagerness of what lay before me, made me open my eyes.

Brightness, with all its cruelty embraced me(darkness was soothing, kinder!!)..

My first vision, a myriad of images flooding my brain..I couldn't comprehend what was happening..i closed my eyes to shrink back into my protective shell..but it was no longer dark in there..I had lost my companion forever..

My parents stood in front of me.. I recognized them from their voices..but..but.. Something was wrong..though my father did have the heavy voice, he did not look any bit royal, on the contrary, he looked ragged and bruised..my mother was dark and tanned, with an aging face..i looked around..Where was 'she'??

Suddenly I wanted to see myself..i looked into the mirror..and looked outside instantly..tears of disappointment began to pour out of my eyes..i was no different to them..all these years, I was fed on lies..

Our palace had 2 rooms..a common room which included a kitchen with my bed at the corner(my parents slept on the ground.."servants" huh..my mind cried..). I rushed inside to meet her..my mind longed to see her..and there she sat, beside my bed, a half broken statue, with its arms stretched out to my cot..

I felt numb..i closed my eyes and touched her hands..there she was in my mind, in her entire beauty..and when I opened my eyes, and she transformed into a stone.

I had lost my companion..and now her..forever..

My surgery was funded by some institution..they claim, I got lucky, but I knew that my luck had changed forever..that I have lost MY world and now I am in alien in YOUR world..not mine..not mine..

'Oh almighty, please make me blind again, for with sight, I learnt sorrow'

GIBBERISH TALK"LIFE IN VICIOUS CIRCLES!!" (Short story)

Lights..red and blue..a body surrounded by people..a body recognizable only by a piece of half burnt paper in the wallet.. "The police recorded the death of a man named Ravi Tejus, approx aged 25, at the premises of the Vihar colony yesterday.."

I woke up with a start..my family seems very gloomy..some are even crying..who are they mourning for?..people have gathered in the yard..who are they biding farewell to??..why are everybody just staring at me??..and why is my photo placed in front of a corpse??...My vision fades..Total blackout....

My alarm is ringing..mom switches it off..she doesn't wake me up..however she sits besides me in the bed .looking blankly at me..i feel like a stranger.. I thought the dream was over?? Nobody greets me as I walk down the stairs..oh, why is everyone acting so indifferent to me?? Just because I got pick pocketed the other day, have I been declared an outcaste..C'mon bhaiyya, even you ignore me??i pick the newspaper..the story of the burnt body of Ravi Tejus screams at me..WHAT?? Ravi Tejus dead??I'm dead??the address is correct, but something is wrong?? "the wallet was almost completely burnt…"..yes, the wallet..wasn't I pick pocketed the other day?? So, that couldn't be me!!relief..mom, dad, I'm here… maybe all I need is a shave?? Then they would recognize me..

But, I cannot shave..I'm stuck in this image of mine, cause I can't find my reflection in the mirror..I look around.. No shadow..what's happening??..My vision begins to fade..Total black out....

I'm surrounded by a warm fluid.. I'm in a womb..my mother caresses me with her caring words..i see my father..he had once stolen money from me, placing my wallet back and flaming my body?? Why am I his son?? Total black out....

A past vision..

I am a money lender..the pickpocket has been captured by my guards..he has failed to pay the dues..i put him in dungeon, torching away his home and family..

Back to present..

Now I'm his son..What is the future?? Am I supposed to avenge him for killing me?? Is this my karma?? When will I escape this vicious circle of life and rebirth?? When will my soul be free and seek enlightenment??...

GIBBERISH TALK "THE BUG IS HERE!!"

Festival time!! Happy Onam wishes in the month of holy Ramzan!! There is a serious bug spreading a sickness all around the world..(no, not that of swine flu)..this bug is so powerful, it is spreading a sense of optimism in all direction..its festival time..yippee!!(SEE??)
Every one in Kerala is infected by this bug in the form of onam and ramzan..children wake up early morning(7am) and start to do the pookalam('do the pookalam'??sorry, couldn come up with anything else..purists, forgive me!!)..in our house, this activity is pursued by my ever-enthusiastic father, who comes up with designs just like that, in patterns we sometimes can't even comprehend.. He has been a perennial optimistic (a chronic case of the bug, my mind observes!)..okay, so Onam is here, people are celebrating, while achu maman and kari satheesh( or paul, depending on where your loyalty is) takes the backstage, at least from the minds of the people, if not papers..sure signs of the bug infection..
The pooja holidays are coming..reasons for my brother to celebrate..no books..no sweat..
A quick search in web revealed a minimum of 11 guaranteed/recognized festivals in the upcoming month..oh, we sure are an optimistic lot, looking for reasons to celebrate (how long have we been infected by the bug, my mind ponders!!)

And now, the bug has taken flight..England is gripped in a splitting headache , following the post-ashes celebrations( but the spirit will never die, they claim!!) Taliban has been be-headed, so the U.S(and with that the world, its taken for granted..hmph!..) is celebrating..Usain Bolt breaks his own record and is now gonna try long jump(jamaica leaping in anticipation..and of course celebrating)..Elections taking place in Iraq/Iran (or is it in both of them??), reasons to celebrate..rakhi has finally found her soul mate (who cares!!)..but he can't afford her (ha, that’s a reason to celebrate!!)..someone reveals he has cheated his wife on sach ka samna(celebrate, yes!!)
Im not against celebrating and all..i was just observing that the world has so many reasons to celebrate, to enjoy, yet most of us feel bored & depressed always..go, have a blast as long as the bug is here..

On a personal note, people around me have already demanded 'treats', even before my exam results have come out..my, my, has the bug mutated a bit higher?? you never know…. Bye..

GIBBERISH TALK- " A NEW PERSPECTIVE!!"

Hi all..Thank you for all your response regarding the blog.. This being the 5th post, this blog is sure growing!!! Now who would have thought that…

The other day, I had a unique experience, and thought I would share with all of you..my brother's school had organised a function at the juvenile home at Calicut, they were donating few books to the children there.. My brother is the students's pupil chairman (publicity drama!!hmph..) and so had to attend the function, and as always, I was assigned to act as his driver, conveying him to and fro.. With the least enthusiasm, I accepted the duty( which was in fact an order, so either way, I could not say no!) … The juvenile home, for all I knew, was a place where children with criminal background were housed..and I din't want to meet them, hell, I dint even know where this place existed in calicut..So with a lot of prejudism and no enthusiasm, I took my brother there.. There was a huge gate, with a serious- no nonsense- guard at the entrance.. (Jail! my mind said). As we went further, we reached a huge building, with a once- upon -a time- white paint.. The board read "Govt. juvenile home-girls wing"..The entry into the building was blocked by black grills ,which was locked(Jail! my mind confirmed).. Two women were sitting inside(probably teachers) and they greeted us warmingly and took us in to the superintendant's room..as the seniors in our group talked with the superintendant, I walked about the place..the first thing that caught my attention was their notice board.. It had two displays, one was a picture of India, decorated with beads, the other, a beautiful scenery..i was amused, I had expected to see only "wanted" posters of criminals in the notice board.. As I looked around, I saw girls of different age groups ..most of them were happy and playing different games.. Surprised at their happiness, I returned back to my group, who were proceeding to the auditorium.. The auditorium was packed with children.. The little ones(really small ones, I was surprised to hear them speak!!)occupied the front seats with the older ones behind, all in an orderly manner(which again surprised me!! Little did I know, today I was in for a lot of surprises). The function began, my brother spoke something, followed by the blah-blahs of their school principal, other members etc.. I was assigned the job of taking photos( my requirement elevated from that of a driver!!). As I went about taking photos, the superintendant of the juvenile home got up to speak. Let me describe her for you- she was a lady in maybe her mid 40s, a bit plump and had the image of your friendly nieghbour, always smiling(contrary to the stereotyped image of cruel superintendants in cinema). She had such a positive charisma about her.. She spoke about what juvenile home actually was.. The following is the gist of what she said-The juvenile home is not for criminal children.. This is a venture, where children, who have no support from their parents(Living or dead) are sheltered.. These children have no criminal background and have done no crimes..those who have committed crimes are sheltered elsewhere in what is called the Observation home.. All that these children lacked are loving parents..such children are looked after by this institution, fed and cared..they are even given normal schooling along with classes in music, drawing etc..

I was shocked.. How wrong I was in calling them criminals..i felt extremely guilty..after the speech of the superintendant, we had an interactive session where these children sang..out came the mahalakshmis and jyothis(no different from the ones we know in the outside world) to sing.. There was even a girl who sang a song that was completely written and tuned by her..so talented, I felt ashamed of myself..and the group song that all the girls sang together was 'Daddy Mummy!!'

As we were preparing to leave, these children crowded around us..they wanted to talk further,wanted to hear from us more..and their love was so genuine.. As we left, all of them were waving bye to us….

I have not met god..but I have met some one quite close to that. The superintendant has dedicated her life for these children..she treats them as her own children and these kids call her 'Amma', a name she truly deserves..in her hands, these kids are safe..

I left the place with a completely different perspective, to the extent that I am being drawn back to the place again and again..even the guard who seemed really tough earlier, looked more friendly now.. I am happy for the kids.. They are in the right place. God bless them..