'Behind the truck' shers : India's highway poetry

( Courtesy : Hasan Zaheer )

"मालिक की गाड़ी, ड्राइवर का पसीना
चलती है सड़क पर बन कर हसीना !!"

"मालिक की ज़िंदगी बिस्कुट और केक पर
ड्राइवर की ज़िंदगी एक्सिलेरेटर और ब्रेक पर!!"

"पत्ता हूँ ताश का जोकर न समझना,
आशिक हूँ तेरे प्यार का नौकर न समझना!!"

"या खुदा क्यों बनाया मोटर बनाने वाले को,
घर से बेघर किया मोटर चलाने वाले को!!"

"ड्राईवर की ज़िन्दगी में लाखों इलज़ाम होते हैं,
निगाहें साफ़ होती हैं फिर भी बदनाम होते हैं!!"

"चलती है गाड़ी उड़ती है धूल
जलते हैं दुश्मन खिलते हैं फूल!!"

"दिल के अरमाँ आँसुओं में बह गये
वो उतर कर चल दिये हम गियर बदलते रह गये !!"

"कभी साइड से आती हो, कभी पीछे से आती हो
मेरी जाँ हार्न दे देकर, मुझे तुम क्यों सताती हो!!"

"रूप की रानी चोरों का राजा,
मिलना है तो सोनिया विहार आ जा!!"

"कीचड़ में पैर रखोगी तो धोना पड़ेगा
गोरी ड्राइवर से शादी करोगी तो रोना पड़ेगा!!"

"लिखा परदेस क़िस्मत में, वतन की याद क्या करना
जहाँ बेदर्द हाकिम हों, वहां फ़रियादक्या करना!!"

"पानी गिरता है पहाड़ से, दीवार से नहीं
दोस्ती है हमसे, हमारे रोज़गार से नही!!"

"बुरी नज़र वालों की तीन दवाई,
जूता, चप्पल और पिटाई!!"

57 के फूल 74 की माला,
बुरी नज़र वाले तेरा मूंह काला।

A grand retreat….TEAM BUILDING 2013

My article in Namaste BG

It was a really wet morning to start with, the 12^th of September, and it was to drizzle all day long, in enough measure to quench the wildest of fires. But it wasn’t potent enough to dampen the spirits of the WE, Developments & POT teams! The two day ‘Team Building event’, involving these three teams, that followed, was to prove too wild a monster to be tamed by a mere monsoon.

Welcoming Durban playing Tutari

It all started with the assembly of the teams at the BG house and their subsequent departure on a five-hour long journey to the JadhavGadh Fort and heritage hotel, near Pune, our destination.   And thanks to the enterprising team members, a slog that the bus-ride could easily have been, turned into a joy-ride, complete with multiple rounds of dumb charades and antaakshari that saw almost total participation with hardly a moment passing without a laugh or a quip.  The brisk ride proved to be just the right appetizer for the sumptuous meal that was to follow.

On our arrival at the fort, situated in the midst of an array of hillocks, greenery and perfect solitude, we were greeted in the most regal manner, with the long drawn calls of Tutari and Raj tilaks, into our comfortable rooms. And then began the non-stop session of games such as Human Appliance, Balloon man, blindfolded puzzle between six teams, with each consisting of members from the three departments. Yes, the names sound crazy but the competition was even crazier in the face of terrific participation. 

The games were followed by some members taking a guided tour of the fort and museum to soak in the history and grandeur of the place, while some sought refuge in the cold waters of swimming pool, playing water games like polo. And then we had the prize distribution ceremony in some really ‘innovative’ categories like ‘Itna sannata kyun hai?’, ‘Gyaan ka saagar’ and such.

Then came the most awaited event of all: the partying in the company of booze and DJ. And as we danced well past the midnight hour, the floor was well and truly burnt.

The next morning started with a brainstorming session where we discussed, in small groups, about means to improve the collaboration between the teams and rounded up many a notable issue where we could improve upon as a team.

Then there was the auction of 6 paintings done by two of our members, which raised a total of Rs. 3 lakhs for the NGOs Vidya and FMCH.  Finally, on this noble note we bid adieu, albeit with great reluctance, to the two days of extreme fun and frolic to return back.

All in all, the roaring success of the event once again proved that such an occasion provides the perfect opportunity to not only unwind and go berserk, but  also to interact and befriend the colleagues from other teams.  So, may the legacy of team building 2013 be carried forward in all manners!

Mukesh Kumar

Petroleum Engg Graduate

A farewell to arms and roses. My Lolita. My Shrew. My ISM.

________________________________________________

A farewell to arms and a farewell to roses.
A farewell in all different kinds of poses.

A farewell to the battles, a farewell to wars.
A goodbye to goosebumps and a farewell to scars.

A farewell to dreams and a farewell to stars.
A sayonara to substance and a farewell to farce.

A goodbye to love that we lost and we gained.
A farewell to hearts that we won and we pained.

And a farewell, my ISM, my Lolita, my Shrew.
Yes, we had our moments but oh very few.

Wish to hunt down the time-bird, wish I were a hunter.
To give us more moments, for love and for banter.

Wish we could make love, forever and ever.
But I know you well! You will find some one other!

So, a teary goodbye to your tantrums and snares.
And a farewell to your treasures, your bounty and cares.
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Last few days at ISM and the thought of separation is tormenting me. O how I wish we could extend this affair. How I wish to re-live and renew the years gone by. So many things left unsaid. So many wishes unfulfilled. Alas! all we got to say is : goodbye.

Journey to nowhere

Walking over a thousand mile

Getting not a single smile.

The journey begins with hopes held high...

with dreams of climbing mountains high.

But a whirlwind comes and you can't fly,

And the road ends with just a sigh.

With aims shimmering and goals cut short..

and 'shortcuts' sprouting from every spot.

how could anyone think of not...

setting the hallowed mission 'abort.'

a self doubt seems to hover..

you ponder and keep thinking over.

"As if caught in a circle with no end...

You have to wonder why you are send"

dedicated to all such students who walk long distances to lecture halls with a resolution to learn something new and a hope of gaining some knowledge....only to see their dreams shattering and beliefs diminishing !!