They were in the same college.They belonged to the same gang of friends.They sat together, stood for one another, ate with each other and did almost everything for the other. Everyone around thought they were made for each other.She was beautiful and he was handsome.Their love was mutually viscid.
One morning, the news spread like wild fire : he had poured acid on her. She died a miserable death 5 days later.

Why did he do so ? 

His reply :Though he felt he knew her love for him was genuine, he felt insecure. He thought she might leave him halfway for someone else!
The price she paid for loving him : her life. No, not all is fair in love and war. At least, not always !

 

Theirs was a love marriage. Revolting against their families, they had braved to tie the knot and live together, till eternity. His family wasn’t egotistic like hers. After the initial hiccups , they accepted and welcomed their only daughter-in-law with the love and warmth that surpassed what she had been receiving at her parental home. All went well for a year and a half .Their baby was the cynosure of his family . Their relationship was an example of love for the whole neighborhood and they were the ideal idols for lovers of the generation.
That cozy Sunday noon, as her wailing infant watched its mother breaking all the laws of love and relationships, she hung herself to death . 

What made her end life abruptly? None know. Her baby remained a mute witness. 

Her loving husband’s confession : she did not wish to live with her parents-in-law even though she knew she had no reason whatsoever to live away from them. But cynically, she felt that her husband’s love stood divided between his parents and her, as long as they lived as a joint family.
His fate :  A motherless infant and his life shred into a thousand bits forever ,all because he loved her ! Did she think that love was a loaf of bread which could be divided among all ?

They grew up together as kids. As adults, though unwed, they shared  live-in relationships with many, for years. He, the heir to a vast property while she, came from a working-class family. Somewhere one day, out of the blue, realization dawned that she was growing old day by day. As everyone of us know , with age, come not just the fine lines and wrinkles but wisdom too. She wanted the luxuries in life, forever. She proclaimed she was in love with him ever since she came into the world. The families, as usual, disagreed .So the Casanova married the Nympho after eloping to a distant land. Their contribution to the sanctity on earth was appreciable though !
You can’t beat experience; the young man built a fortress around his home for his wife . Trespassing prohibited, even her parents were allowed a visit after passing through his watchful scanner. She had to pay a duty for being well-heeled !

Who said one don’t get interests in return for one’s deposits, even in love ?

His justification : If she could fall in love with him for his wealth , she could fall for any other male — wealthier than him, if she got the chance ! Acceptable, since he spoke from experience !!



She, from the metro ; he, a countryman. His, is a love- at -first -sight while she is used to such things. To her its a pastime getting pampered, shopping at the malls, pani poories and chats, parties and drives at the cost of her lovers. For him, love is sacred and should culminate in marriage. He daydreams a ” And-They-Lived-Happily-Ever-After ” on cloud nine ever since he fell for her. A total mismatch. But she would hate to let the affair go, for he had a fat wallet. A formal engagement follows with her 1/4 th -hearted approval. Weeks later, during a party her friends ridicule her for his poor English accent. She feels insulted and the very next day, postpones the wedding to a distant date. He does not understand her reasons but promises to make amends for his wrongs, if any. Fully aware of his weakness for her, she remains adamant. She demands the transfer of half his property to her name even before their marriage. Else, she threatens to return the “country fella’s ” engagement ring. He is devastated and returns to his humble countryside dwelling .
Days later, his mortal remains are found on a broad gauge track .

When did life decide to take the insane twist for none other than a loveless person ?

Her sane excuse after his voice left unheard forever : He was sure he would never find a better girl than her due to his backward rural upbringing !
Pity, she knew not that good upbringing means not that you live a metro’s life, but that you still uphold virtues and sanctity of the soul .

No ! These ain’t any snippets of imagination. But a few of the many true happenings around us in our society — all in the name of  LOVE !


There are lots of people who do love their mates unconditionally irrespective of the shortcomings and faults ; with the moles and warts. They go on to lead a wonderful life which is free from the want and greed unlike ordinary mortals. True love has the power to pass any testing time. It exists even when the soul has left the body. It knows no boundaries or barriers. The giver gets richer than the receiver and vice versa. At all times, it had, it has and it shall always remain as pure and colorful as ever .It lives forever ! 

All said , true love is truly a divine mystery. It is a mystery how it happens . It is a mystery how it comes . Its a mystery how it stays and grows in some while it evades and fails in others. Its the best gift of life that God could ever bless one with. Embrace it when it comes to you and keep it in your heart without prejudice. All are not as lucky as you, for, as La Rochefoucauld , the well-known French classical author , quotes : ” True love is like ghosts, which everybody talks about and few have seen .”

Three boys of 17 years hit the road on their hired mobikes. Drunk ,with cigar-rolls on their lips they were out to conquer the world . Vrooming , zipping their ways through the busy streets on the town , they were on the best high they could afford .

It was noon when they realized that they needed refills . But the pocket was almost empty .They needed quick bucks just as much as they were after the “sips” and the “divine powder ” .Coming from middle class families have their own such disadvantages –they grumbled . But luck was on their side . A young lady with her toddler was passing by , just then . The glitter of the gold thread around her neck was quite tempting .They could see the mirage of their alcoholic drinks ,the magic pills and the divine powder in the glittering .

The helmet came in handy . After all , there are some advantages of such otherwise ” useless ” things too –they grin while they think . A small talk and a wink and two of the teenagers zoom off @ 120+ kmph a few yards ahead of the lady with her child . They stop a hand distance away , tug wildly at the golden string and are gone in a flash . The lady stands stunned without a voice to raise in protest .

The third joins them within a span of 4-5 minutes .They are now off to their very own gold merchant who ” takes everything ” they want to sell instantly but at a little lower price. They are “contented fellas” , happy with what they get .

Off they ride to the best of the bars not before they call in three girls to join them soon at one of the dingy spots .Now they have an aim . They got to pick up their women before heading for a party at the club meant for the “quite-elites” .

Lighting the cigar ,they talk about the mushy things they are going to “enjoy ” with those gals . Now that money is in plenty with them , one of the guys wants the “divine stuff ” too .He knows where to get it from , has the money too and needs it badly . He asks the others to wait for him for 20 minutes so that they can move on together since the den where the stuff was sold was just around the corner. An U-turn and he would be reaching the heaven . But the others are too eager to join the ladies , for lust is as attractive as the ” divine powder ” . Not being able to forego the magic pill and powder , the boy asks his friends to move on telling them that he would join them soon .

He starts his bike .The engine roars like the wildest lion on prowl for its prey . He speeds away at lightening speed while the gaze of the other two try to follow him. He takes the U-turn at the dead-end of the road .His friends- in- sin hear a crashing sound come from the same direction . Reaching the spot , they find the friend lying in a pool of blood ; eyes gazing the skies . One reaches for the lifeless friend’s swanky mobile and his wallet while the other tells him to hurry back .

Immediately , they turn their bikes and head for the main road . Minutes later , the two are at the place where the girls were asked to join them . They ask one of the three to leave . With the girls seated behind them, the guys zoom off to their dearest destination.

After all ,they have just one life . Who would like to waste time on a dead soul ? Just live life today as if there is no tomorrow , for , what if they themselves do not awaken to welcome the Tomorrow ?!?

Sumi delivered her daughter on Saturday morning .Her husband called up late in the afternoon to announce the happy news to me .

Me : ” Congratulation ! Hope the mother and child are fine .”

Lalith : ” Come and see for yourself .”

Me : ” Of course ! Tomorrow evening .”

Next day, I asked Hubby to come along. He bought a bouquet with ” Congratulations ” written bold across .That instant , I knew he was running down a bolthole . Flashing his 10,000 watt smile, he said : ” Instead, I shall take the kids out for Pizza. ” With a ” Why- do- you -always -do- like- this ” look on my face , I set out to visit my friend .

Decked up and with the bouquet in hand , I stepped into the drawing room for the car key . I picked the key and turned towards the door when I heard my little smart chatty boy plead ,
” Momma , halt. Please take me along . “

” OK , but promise me, you shall not talk too much there .” , I warned .

” Done “, he replied .

The Laliths were happy to see us, specially the brat, following me . After exchanging pleasantries and making my kiddie sit close to me , I waited for my ” turn ” to “see” the one-day-old . There were already tens of the couple’s nearest relatives passing their comments and compliments along , about the newlyborn .

I could see the neonate change hands without a pause ! The couple’s family had formed two teams — Pro-Sumi and Pro-Lalith –where no such thing called diplomacy was being followed while talking about ” Their Sumi’s ” or ” Their Lalith’s ” baby .

While Sumi’s team said :

” Oh , she looks exactly like our  Sumi ” ;
” Her father’s sister ( Sumi’s father’s sister ) looked just as beautiful when she was small ” ;
” The baby has all the features of her Grandma ( Sumi’s Mom )” ;
” She will be as tall as her Grandpa ( Sumi’s father ) when she grows up ” ……..and on and on .
Amusingly , Lalith–the new born’s father –was completely missing in the baby !

If this was Mrs. Lalith’s team members’ comment about the baby’s looks , Mr. Lalith’s was not bad either !

” Look at her nose. Its justttt like Lalith’s  and so is the forehead and the chin ” ;
” But the eyes are like his ( Lalith’s ) father’s ” ;
” She has inherited her Grandmother’s( Lalith’s mother ) lip , ears , cheeks and the hair too ” ;
” But the eye lashes and the brows are ditto like Latha’s –Latha is Lalith’s sister ” ;
” The best part of everything is, she has got the complexion of her Great Grandmother ( Lalith’s Grandmother ) ! ” , said someone .
Not-so-amusingly , Sumi –the mother of the child –was missing in her own baby !

That is great indeed, I mused. Lalith’s family did not see Sumi in the child just as Sumi’s found it almost impossible to recognise Lalith in the baby. Complex clash, I suppose . Summing up, the little Angel of the Laliths had no features or identity of her own but only of her parents’ respective families. That too, when she was not even a day old in this world !

Sensing my little Sugar Boy’s disinterest and restlessness in the proceedings, I was thinking of making a move out of the room when my friend managed to pass on her bundle-of-joy into my arms . I could sense their excitement and the feeling of pride when I took a closer look at their child . The happiest parents now wanted to hear a compliment, especially about her resemblance, from me.

I took the baby in my arms and smiled as it opened its tiny eyes as if to ask me :  
“ Now, what’s from you, Lady? Please be kind to me. I have been tolerating these people around me since quite a while. “

” Koo–chi–koo–chi– koo !! Chweet one , lucky one ; Welcome to this world , Little Angel. Momma and Papa are cho proud of you and  you look choooooo much like them . ” , I crooned.

I noticed the Laliths light up with joy. I turned towards Sonny dear who was observing everybody around, closely . Bending low enough to enable him see the infant, I said , ” Puttani , want to see Sumi Aunty’s Sweetie ? She looks so cute. Don’t you wish to talk to her ? ”

He took a deep breath, zoomed- in and grinned .

” Kooooooochi–kooooochi–koooo !! Chweet one , lucky one ; Welcome to this world full of lies, Little Angel .Your Momma and Papa are cho proud of you but you don’t look soooooo much like them. Honestly, you look justtt like a MONKEY !” , Sonny proclaimed even before I could give him the “ No, not another word “ stare !
Without a pause , he met the eyes of the astonished neo-parents and said  with a wink , ” Dont worry Uncle , Auntie. She will look better when she grows older . Every new born looks like that . You just have to take a closer look . Me too — when I was born .Come home , I’ll show you the snaps .”

With these words , he nudged me out of my embarassment with the request to go home . I obliged immediately. For , I thought, it was apt  to flee the scene before a war of words ensured !! We all know : Children seldom misquote while, honesty and frankness make us vulnerable.
 
” Pretty much, all the honest truth-telling there is in the world, is done by children. ” — Oliver Wendell Holmes.

Beloved Fellow- Bloggers – one and all ,

Until the advent of the caller-identification facility on the basic-phones till recent , one was exposed to crimes through phones mostly, sometime or the other . Now even with the CLI facility , one is susceptable to such crimes done but in a more fool-proof way—through public coin booths !  Our leaders want to make every person in this nation a computer literate and ofcourse , it is always a welcome decision . But  lots of people have truly become sooo well-versed in this field that they cause more harm to others than good . The increase in cyber crimes are on the rise now , more than ever . 

Am really sorry for having to opt for  ” comment moderation ” on this blog . I know many of you  are surprised by this sudden action of  mine . But I had no other go .

The problem has started since the last couple of days or so . Some diddle ( who knows who the holy soul is ! ) is leaving disreputable filty messages as  Guest Book entries which  are too nasty to be displayed in public .A new blog is being created everytime to leave a comment on the blog ! How is that ?? !! ?? 

These entries seem to be virus-infected too as the system -in -use goes eccentric while checking these comments . It needs to be booted again before another use  .

This can happen to any of us on this iland and the internet in general .There are 100% possibilites that any con can play such dirty meaningless prank on anybody on a blogsite at anytime . Though unfortunate , as a general rule , none can effectively stop anyone from committing such crimes .Most times , these are spam and pucca junkies and yes , very abusive too !! At the time of its happening , one may think : WHY ME ?? WHY WHY ?? No use though ! Just spread the alert !!

In case any of you get such comments –relevant or irrelevant to you matters least here , for , remember , this is an OPEN SPACE — dont jitter .Note : this is a regular feature of  Sadists-of-the-Cyberworld . Let everyone know that you are getting such stuffs as comments on your blog .That could be an alert to many others ! To keep the comment hidden or delete it , is ofcourse , your choice .We all know that very many of us are innocent victims of such things on the internet ! Cheers to us ,buddies !!

Let us all know that if someone –can be anyone who you know or maynot know too– is adamant to fling slur on another mortal , s(he) will/may find a number of ways to do so . Its a fact beyond doubt that its damn easy to do so through the cyber space .  Possiblities increase if you enter your gender as ” female “  and seem to be amicable and amiable through your posts .Pure logic !! 

Rise of cyber crimes need to be brought under control for the benefit of the whole mankind . Doesn’t it take a master brain to devise ways to hack other’s systems , crack passwords , track online dealings , create and pass deadly bugs , et al ? Why don’t the same gray-cells work for the betterment of the society they live in ? Would that not help everyone be happier in so many beneficial ways ? It definitely will . 

We have many a wonderful genius specialists amongst us  who have mastered the computers and cyber safety rules , here on the Iland .Such can give good sound suggestions to deal  crap especially on blogsites which are open to all readers . Genuine posts written with regards to this issue are the need of the hour . A sincere hope that this post reaches out to all such people around .

The darkness of the night does not prevail forever . The night’s darkness isn’t just a sign that the day has ended but that the birth of another day is nearer .A new day that is always going to be brighter than its previous . Wake up ,dear Cyber friends for its time to think genuinely about this issue . Today it is me , tomorrow it could be your turn . Pray , that does not happen but can never say it won’t !

This year is almost making it’s way into the new year , paving way to yet another new year ! At the stroke of 12 PM , on the last day of 2006 we march forth to welcome ” 2007 ” with the gaiety and galore , just as we did with , all the previous new years.Moments later, all of a sudden “2006″ is going to seem as if it belonged to the “Victorian ” era ; a reason enough for a majority of the population on Earth to celebrate .

Glasses kinkle with the choosiest of alcohol and snacks to declare the dawn of yet another New Year with wine , partner /spouse , disco , lavish midnight parties and enjoyment smoking the peace-yearning night, like the thick fog of a wild winter .

All enthralled in their own fantasy , unmindful of the future the year may bring along but hoping that it’s birth heralds only the best of all good.This is one section of the global population but there does exit a counterpart to this tribe !The many who , maybe out of sheer helplessness ,compulsion due to lack of monetary funds and comforts of leisure from work , may be fizzing it off as just another day of their mere existence on the green sphere. Here , there are no frills , no thrills for this species . This tribe frowns as it dawns with the thought that each new year signifies another day “off” their life .

Yet , the new years dawn bright upon all , just the same upon both the sections !Well , whichever among these two tribes we may slip into isn’t of much importance now, friend . Our answers may vary and so may our opinions and arguments towards life….! Nevertheless , I will not forget to wish all the most fortunate of us, who are entering into this year too ~ you and all your loved ones ~ a happy, blessed , great , rocking -fine and the most wishful of all a globally- peaceful New Year ahead !!Hop into 2007 and spin your life as you please . Jolly around , merry about …..live , and let live too !

HAPPY NEW YEAR , FRIENDS !

I was waiting at a high road for some parking space one afternoon , when I over-heard the conversation between two school - going boys . From their conversation and the subject of their talks, I could guess that they were 10th std. students .They were discussing their day at school and were rolling with laughter as they spoke of their “Mathematics Class “. Interested and inquisitive , I asked them what the funny thing was — if it could be told to me . They were very much interested to share the episode with me .

Little facts rolled out .

The Principal of the school taught them trigonometry and the topic of the day was to prove that ABC is a TRIANGLE ( trigonometry ). The whole class was attentive and taking down the notes given by the Principal –the teacher of the subject – who was aggressively proving it with the help from a guide book of repute .

On and on she went proving it till a point came when an extra “D” came on the board . The students asked the teacher about this anonymous “D” but only to be scolded by the teacher for distracting her while teaching. Finally , she proved that the ” TRIANGLE ABC ” was a perfect ” RHOMBUS ” !!! This theorem was to be studied by-heart for the test next day !

Helpless , the students noted down what was taught and soon the bell rang signaling the end of that period . After about 15 minutes , the Algebra teacher rushed in to tell the pupils that there was an error in solving the problem and erasing the 2nd half of the proof , he re-wrote it correct . This time , it was proved that the ” Triangle ABC was a Triangle ” itself and the ” D ” disappeared from the scene !

His explanation for the error in the Principal’s proving ~ the page no. 83 which contained the correct proof had turned to page no. 85 which contained the proof for the rhombus , due to the breeze blowing in through the window of the classroom .

The teacher had happily gone ahead with the entry of the mysterious “D” and also proved a triangle as a rhombus !

Just think ! Who would not laugh at such a grave mistake by the teacher herself ?? But the teacher should not have felt it below her dignity to have accepted her fault , correct herself and continue with the right answer . If so was done, she would be respected more than ever .

To err is human of course. But to admit the err and make up for it , is truly divine . Afterall , no human is perfect and without faults .

Kerala : The state of lavishing greens and elegant temples .God’s own country ,they call it . Where Gods and the Godesses rule the souls .

As an avid traveller round the nation since childhood , I have had the privilage to visit many famous churches , mosques and mainly the temples within the country ; the most in the state of Kerala .

Talking about temples , ones memory flashes back to the myths , legends and the theologies associated to them that are brought alive through the various rituals and customs tenaciously followed to date , even in this era of e-darshans and e-poojas .Gloryfying the Almighty’s presence in the sanctum sanctorum , each temple has a set of special guidelines for the devotees to abide when within its premises . Be it at Guruvayur’s Lord Guruvayurappan temple or the mesmeric Devi Melkaavilamme and Devi Keelkaavilamme at Chottanikara ; think of Swami Ayyappa and get an insight to the Lord’s abode at Shabarimala amidst the holy chants ~ “Swamiye Sharanam Ayyappa“. Parama Shiva as Vadakkumnatha at Thrissur , the Sarva Vighna Vinaashaka – Lord Ganapathi – the bestower of all fortunes , at Pazhavangaadi , Lord Vishnu in all His splendid magestic charm as Sri Anantha Padmanabhan . The list is definitely endless but so are the regulations set by the respective temple authorities for the boon seekers .

Worth a mention are these rules and limits assigned to the devotees thronging the temples to invoke the blessings of the Supreme Power and the Most Benevolent . North , south  , east or the west of the state , the rule is a rule .
 
Guruvayurappan does not allow men with tops or women in pants to visit Him . The same holds good at the just-as-famous Sri Vadakkumnatha and Sri Anantha Padmanabhan kshetrams and the likes. Lord Ayyappa is all for men only and women before and beyond the child-bearing age . A little liberal are the Devi kshetrams .

In tow, are the offerings or the vazhivaadus , as they are called  in all the temples - big and small .You name it and they have it on the list . From the Vedi vazhivaadus , Poomoodals , Pushpanjalis , Tulabharams and Velakkumalas , Guruthi , Dhara or Kalabhaabishekam , to name just a few , to the sweetest of the offerings — the Paayasam , in many different versions : Paalpaayasam , Neipaayasam, Kadumpaayasam , Aravana of Shabarimala and the most famous of them all — the Ambalapuzha Paal paayasam!! All so sweet as ever ! The vazhivaadus come with their respective rates and prasaadams .

Talking of  paayasams , I recall just as sweet an incident that occured a couple of weeks ago during my visit to a small but historically famous temple in north Kerala . Just like any other temple in the state , the billboard displayed the vazhivaadus available there . From the most-oft offering  pushpanjalis , to the vivaahams . The price began at  Rs 3 /- and onwards. As we were browsing the list on the board to decide the puja we wanted to offered to the deity for our well-being , our 8 year old kid came across ” vivaaham @ Rs.100/- only ” . Moreover , the inquisitive child was too pleased to know that paayasam would be the prasaadam and that too in surplus ! A lover of the Ambala prasaada paayasams ( the paayasam offered as prasaad in temples ) , this was alot more than he had expected… lots of the sumptuous sweet delight after the ceremony. Astonished and excited , he bravely declared instantly that he was ready to get married on the spot . No matter what befalls later !! All one could hear was a roar of laughters by those who had overheard the small child and his loud thinking .

I silently think : Should we call a child’s mind “small” simply by habit ?perhaps it is larger than ours is , for it can take in almost anything without effort . Doesn’t Robert A. Heinlein’s quote : “one man’s theology is another man’s belly laugh ” support this too ?

And as the premises basked in the light of the deepams lit all around it as part of the Chuttu Vilakku vazhivaadu , I once again salute the Supreme Being within , to bless all my loved ones till eternity before signing off from the serene environment for the time being .

At times the days seemed so long, I thought I’d never make it through,

Then suddenly, out of a dream, I have met someone like you.