Reflection

What happens when you can no longer justify your past ?
When you can no longer identify with yourself ?
You never were what you thought you were and you still aren't and hence you never will be ?
When all the excuses start to seem not good enough ?
When your own reflection starts to aggravate you ?
When you completely lose touch with reality or may be its the first time that reality has hit you, well you'll never know ?
How do you know that all these years weren't a waste, that still all is not lost ?
How could you possibly do things differently this time ?

The path is becoming steeper and where's the hope of reaching the top when you could not reach the other end of the lush green field in your backyard...

Bombayites

City of Dreams attracts a variety of people. I think once you've lived here for some time you can start understanding the demography. You can tell one kind* from the other. Here's an attempt to identify the different kinds..


1. Local experts (Of the trains I mean): They'll know everything there is to know about the locals and not only about the stations within Bombay but Virar, Titwala and some more names I get to read on the trains. They can be quite helpful especially for a newbie but don't expect them to know much outside of their expertise(i.e. the locals).

2. L.B.S. dudes: Their bombay starts from Mulund and ends at Ghatkopar. Nirmal lifestyle and R-City Ghatkopar form an important part of their lives...

3. Gujjus: The North western bombayites. The rich business class. Met a few, they turned out to be a lot sweeter than my expectation.

4. Bandraites: The so-called happening crowd. The place is quite an attraction and so are the people, from the girl next door to Sachin Tendulkar. Though they're not known for venturing out of Bandra much.

5. Town side folks: Town-side or the So-called Real Bombay, and I think rightly so, is full of Big Shots and their offices. The best part is the restaurants, pubs, Marine Drive and what not. I found the people there to be much nicer than they get credit for. And of course their Bombay finishes at Dadar in the north.

6. Self-Proclaimed Bombayites: The Thaneites, Navi mumbaians, Virarians and all the people living close to Bombay but not in Bombay. Before this turns into a controversy let me clarify that I'm not questioning your 'Right' over bombay but just some light-hearted humour.

7. Inquisitive Immigrants**: They know it all and they love the city. They're everywhere and Bombay is full of them. Their love for the town amazes and annoys their hometown folks. They infuse life in the city and are the future 'Localites'.

* The insecure ones with a propaganda who can't share the city won't find a mention.
** The disloyal, thankless ones who can't stop complaining about everything won't find a mention over here either.

Its like a T20

If you think about it Life's like a game of cricket. When you're out of luck and the opposition is on Top, you got to just hang in there. In the process you might have to swallow your pride and get knocked down by a bouncer or two but you cannot and shall not give in.

Then, Slowly and gradually you come out of the corner due to sheer grit and well at that time that's all you've got. Then you start changing gears and the roar of the crowd grows with you and they start to go bonkers... why ? Because you're on FIRE. You're doing which at one point was out of question. You've defied destiny and what people do when they see a mere mortal defying what at one point seemed like god's will, Just go watch a match.

'Hope Springs Eternal'

Yes I am High ! But its not chemically induced rather its the wonder of 'hope'. Hope which has ended for me a phase of doubts, about anything and everything, about me and you, about this world and the next. Where did this hope come from ? What inspired me is the mesmerizing act of an individual defying all odds, telling us yes you can.

As the Architect from Matrix said "Hope, it is the quintessential human delusion, simultaneously the source of your greatest strength, and your greatest weakness". Though I wonder what we'll we do without it ? Even the thought seems frightening.

Enough of beating behind the bush... I am here to talk about Saurav Ganguly AKA Dada.

Refused to be a silent spectator in 1991, kicked out. Came back 5 years later with back to back centuries at the mecca of cricket. Establishing himself as the one-day opener. Then came the day when he was crowned with captain's hat. And what did he do ? Well he turned the meaning of leadership on its head. He made what Indian cricket team is today. He's the architect, he's the devil the world couldn't stand and the more he defied them the more support he got and the more powerful he became and the more angry they got.

Then came the downfall like it does for all great kings. The luck ran out, friends turned foe and even the precious 'timing' gave up on him. He had to leave again, many arrogant souls believed that its forever. But he had different plans, He came back and weathered the storm in Africa, where no one else had a clue he showed them light. He once again demonstrated sheer strength of determination which has inspired millions. Finally the legend retired from international cricket with his head high after an invaluable contribution to his country.

Came IPL, again so many controversies, its like they won't ever leave him alone. Bad form was seen as a sin. Everyone waiting for that one tiny mistake and questioning over a decade long of greatness whenever they got a tiny window of opportunity.

Then it was the time for the return of the king. He took all responsibility, he lead from the front. His elegant shots were all back and he demonstrated why he's called the prince of Bengal, the Bengal Tiger and why is he one of the most successful Indian openers ever. He patted his chest signaling his team that he's going to see them through today and he did just that. If there's someone who never gives up then it has to be the greatest Indian Captain of all times AKA Dada.