Bro, It was me… (fiction)

“Sherry, are you done, they are home.” I shouted as I saw their car across the street.

It’s the first time after my wedding last month that Megha, my elder sister is coming for dinner with her architect husband. Days were so busy that we hardly got time to sit and chat leisurely. Mom and dad also wanted to see her son so i had invited them today. Sherry, my wife prepared the main course and sweets were my responsibility as always. I had prepare Gulab Jamun today.

They arrived in time and we sat for around an hour chatting about miscellaneous stuff and finally moved to the dinner table. Yashvendra, Megha’s husband has been into the field for quite some time now and have established himself quite well. After the dinner we all sat around the tea table for a sip of coffee. Suddenly my sister asked to show my wedding photos. I went into my room and she came along. I was pulling out the heavy wedding albums from my cupboard while she was just wandering around in the room when a photo frame caught her eye. It was four of us (mom, dad, me and sis) while on a holiday in Andaman and Nicobar. We went for a holiday there just before I joined my engineering college. She just jumped out of joy after seeing that pic and chuckled over and said you remember this trip?

“Yes”, I said. But the very smile of joy was soon replaced by a streak of fear on my face. She looked at me and made a questioning gesture. And suddenly she said “Oh, is it Ross Island?? You haven’t forgotten it yet? suddenly a devilish smile swept over her face.

Ross island is a deserted British colony on an island in the Andaman seas. We went there while on our trip to Andaman and Nicobar.

It was our summer holidays and papa planned for a We were two families and a total of 9 people. We reached Port blair, the capital of Andaman and Nicobar islands at around 2 in the day time and were mesmerized by the natural beauty there. The nature is at its best there. The green god has definitely been partial for these islands.The lush green islands in the blue far unending seas seems like a galaxy of green planets in the vast blue sky. Finally we landed on one of those planets of green galaxy called Port Blair. The island is lush green like all the other islands but also contains the most dense populated area right in the center of the island.

As soon as we reached there we were picked by our tour operator, a sardarji and dropped to our accommodations, with a briefing for the rest of the day. We didn’t had much in schedule for that day but a very tight one from the following day. We just visited the local bazaar and did some shopping and slept off. The next day we were supposed to go to Ross island.

Once the administrative headquarters of the British empire, Ross Island is deserted today. The place is in pathetic ruins but is worth paying a visit . Important ruins include a church, cemetery, swimming pool, chief commissioner’s residence and several office buildings and barracks. Taken over by the forests and undergrowth the place completely possess a haunted look. At least haunted enough to scare a 18 yr old. that was my age when we visited Andaman and Nicobar.

We boarded the ferry service from the port blair docks for the 15 minutes ship ride to Ross island. All the time we were so mesmerized by the scenic beauty and the island terrain that we were experiencing for the first time. When we were half way towards the Ross island we could see the ruins of once the british administrative head quarters.

to be continued…

Prayer

Jesus Allah Krisna or Ram
make me feel strong
make me feel tall.

Strength of your name
light of your belief
is the one
lying in me.

AnujShailGupt

What is a blog ? II

Here I am with the PART II of the post on blogs.

…As you can see that people talk about anything they feel like on their blog from their pets to recent news to what they did today. There is big number of writers on blogging sites to promote their works or getting in touch with their audience for feedback.
We’ll turn now to the various components of an average blog.
COMPONENTS

1. Advertising – Many blogs have advertising banners on them. Most often the money generated by advertising goes to the company providing the blog software, not the individual blogger.
2. Title – The blog’s title.
3. Date – The date of the most recent post. You will notice that previous posts have been pushed down on the page to fit below the most recent one.
4. Post Title – The title of the most recent post.
5. Text – The actual text of the most recent post.
6. Posting Information – Information telling who wrote that particular post and when it was posted to the blog.
7. Comments – An area for readers of the blog to add their comments. This is an option some bloggers use and others avoid.
8. Previous Posts – A list of the most recent posts.
9. Archives – A link to view the archive section which contains older posts.

Though there may be variety from one to another depending on the preferences of the individual blogger, most blogs have all or most of those components.

UNDERSTANDING THE OPTIONS
You need software that will allow you to write and publish your blog. The second thing you need is a place on the Internet to put your blog.

Your Options
Using those two dynamics there are four categories of blog:
• Free software with free hosting – This is the entirely free way of blogging. You do not pay for the software or for the hosting.
• Free software with paid hosting – In this option you will use free software but will have to pay for hosting.
• Paid software that includes the price of hosting – This option is subscription-based and combines software and hosting in one recurring fee.
• Paid software and paid hosting – In this option you pay for both hosting and software.

YOUR OPTIONS:
There are several companies that offer free software and free hosting. Among them are:
Blogger
Livelogcity
Livejournal
Squarespace
Of these services, we currently recommend Blogger as the best entirely free solution.

Now it’s your turn to reach out to the world and let the world know what you always wanted to share.
Happy Blogging!

Blog vs Website

I have been into this dilemma of having a website or continue with the blog and the decision is really difficult one. This has led me to the nittygritties of blogs and websites and ways of shaping them into a nice presentable form. Will share that very soon. Its too late (1:21 am) and i will say good nite.

What is a blog? I

Due tofrequent request of so many friends I have comeup with a basic intro of a blog. This two part series will make you acquaint with the concept of blogs.

Introduction
You surely have heard the term “blog” and want to know what blogs are all about. Well you’ve come to the right place. In this series of articles I will take you from what a blog is to having all the knowledge you need to start a blog of your own so you can share your thoughts with hundreds and thousands of readers.
What is a blog?
Let’s define the word – blog.
A blog is a frequently updated online personal journal or diary. It is a place to express yourself to the world. A place to share your thoughts and your passions. Really, it’s anything you want it to be.
For our purposes we’ll say that a blog is your own Web site that you are going to update on an ongoing basis. Blog is a short form for the word weblog and the two words are used interchangeably.

Terminology
Blog (noun) – a journal or diary that is on the Internet – Andrew Sullivan has the most popular blog on the Internet.
Blogger (noun) – a person who keeps a blog – Bloggers are revolutionizing the way news is shared.
Blog (verb) – to write a blog – I am going to blog after breakfast this morning.
Blogging (verb) – the action of writing a blog – Blogging is my way of sharing my passions and vision with the world.
Who blogs?
So who are these fearless people who would be willing to post about their lives in as public a forum as the Internet? They are people just like you. Every day millions of people, some of whom with no technical ability whatsoever write on their blogs.
Yea, it’s that easy.
Why do people blog?
We believe the answer lies in the fact that every human has a voice and wishes their voice to be heard. The Internet is a medium that is unparalleled in its reach. Never before have average people like you or me been able to reach a global audience with so little trouble. Bloggers have the opportunity of reaching hundreds or even thousands of people each and every day.

How does a blog look like?
It’s time to check out some blogs.
Andrew Sullivan is one of the Internet’s most popular bloggers and writes about whatever is in the news.
Quaterlifestyle is the most popular blog on word press recently.

In the next part we will discuss the various components and how to start your own blog.

Some one in the crowd

These are the words of someone who likes somebody so passionately that life and death is just a matter of choice for him. He hasn’t been able to utter a word as his body freezes to act and his senses die down for the external world when

she comes in front of him. She has got the ultimate charm of this world enough to make the deserts green again and to dry down the vast oceans. She is an unparalleled beauty with the tranquility of dew drops and the equanimity of green pastures. He is very passionate about her but at the same time very careful not to hurt her in any way possible. He is worried that expressing his deep desires might offend her and shoe her away which will be the ultimate death for him.

 

There is some one in the crowd

Just waiting for a sign.

The sign that you are here

for me.

 

The wait is getting longer

and longer as I wait,

you don’t seem to show,

any sign.

 

but my heart is not going to sigh,

even if you don’t rely,

on the promises that I make,

to u.

 

Just waiting for a chance

to open up this heart

and show you what’s beneath

this heart.

 

Its you and only you

it is full of love for you

and its not gonna die

forever.

You are the reason and meaning of my life

We are not the world

The far you can see, you reach,

The far you can hear, you sound,

the far you are heard, you spread,

the far you spread, you rejuvenate,

the far you rejuvenate, you evolve,

the far you evolve, you dissolve…

Open your eyes to the real world. The world meant for no one but for itself. It breathes for itself and speaks of itself. We spend our entire life thinking that we are working hard for ourselves but it’s the last moment of our lives that makes us feel that we don’t live  or work for ourselves and but for this ruthless world or rather it makes us work.

Contrary to our general belief, only the Non living things around us constitute the real world not us, as they have been here for ages and will be here for ever, irrespective of the time. These nonliving things have been the integral part of the world since the beginning, not the mortal us and thus they are the world. We are just the travelers on a journey through this world acting on a predecided itinerary.

Wish you have a safe journey.

A theist or Atheist ??

Problem:   Why does an apple fall on earth?

An Atheist:    Due to the Gravitational pull of the earth.

A Theist:    Because the God wants it to fall.

I was catching up with the latest happenings in the world and my favorite Sunday special edition of the news paper late last night when this picture happened to catch my complete attention.

source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/oct/21/religion-advertising

The article along with the picture said that this is part of a campaign run by atheists in UK in positive counter response to the famous “Jesus Said” ads campaign that run on buses in June 2008. I could make out the actual meaning of atheist but I wanted to know the word better so i referred to the Wikipedia.

Atheism can be either the rejection of theism,^[1] or the position that deitiesdo not exist.^[2] In the broadest sense, it is the absence of belief in the existence of deities.

The ad was initially planned to be run on 30 buses from the £5500 they targeted to collect through donations but the campaign run on 800 buses all over UK thanks to the overwhelming £135,000 in donations. The British Humanist association was administering the funds and professor Richard Dawkins was backing the campaign.

This is the first ever atheist ad campaign in Britain.

I understand that there are people who will always look things the other way round or rather they have their own side of the coin but the situation leaves us with a strong point to ponder upon that are there so many people who really doesn’t believe in God’s existence. The huge donations to support the campaign have shown this in flying colours.  Or is it the long suppressed anguish getting a passage out or the sudden blow of such repressed feelings ?

Isn’t it the new Jehad in the beginning. The more sophisticated westernized form of the Jehad against the dominating religious bodies who  always talk about supernatural powers justifying God’s existence. The beginning of their speech will always say ” In the beginning, God created man.” but the new atheist lobby has come up with the more logical and targeted counters. What if the atheist lobby comes up with their own version of Bible starting with

In the beginning,  Man Created God…

A tale of addiction

The charm and the persona,

the eyes and the flicker of hairs,

The flourescence so magnificient

mesmerizing the onlooker.

The fragrances of the skin

unseen in all the known worlds.

The voice so sweet

Beethoven to ears.

The words spoken

filled with exotic juices from heaven.

Your walk

like the stroll of a fairy.

Your presence is a grace of the gathering

Your speech an essence of life.

You r a tale of endless addiction…

The Chocolates

The Chocolates

“Hope you remember we have parent-teacher’s meet in Avi’s school today”, Deepa said while still sleepy.

“I have to leave for Singapore tonight after two important meetings today honey. It won’t be possible for me today. Please manage it this time”. Arun said. “Arun, this is what I have been doing for the last two meetings. You also have your responsibilities towards your son. He is your son too.” Deepa said.

And the fight continued. Arun and Deepa got married 4 years ago after a courtship of 2 years and both were working for multinational companies but their hectic work schedules seldom give them a chance to enjoy quality time together. With the complete responsibility of a new project, especially Arun was not able to spare enough time for the family.

Arun rushed to the office as usual in a bad mood leaving Deepa behind scolding. Deepa had taken a half day leave to attend the parent-teachers meet. They both were feeling that the real love that they used to feel for each other has really disappeared for some time now. It’s not just about the child but every small issue was becoming a reason of fight between them these days. She really misses those occasional gifts that Arun used to bring till sometime back just to express that he still loves her as much as he did before their marriage. But all that has disappeared since he was promoted to become a project director in the company. She even sometimes spies his mobile phone and laptop to confirm if he is seeing someone else out of her knowledge but she knew this wasn’t the case.

Arun called Deepa in the after noon about the meeting. She didn’t pick the phone at all. He tried to call once more after an hour but she couldn’t pick up this time being in a meeting and her ego didn’t allow her to call back after the meeting.

She reached home to find him already at home taking a shower. There were clothes spread all over their bed as he had to pack his luggage for the journey. Avi was in his room watching TV. Arun came out rubbing his hairs with the towel and asked “what happened at the the school, how is Avi performing?”

“Why do you care?” she replied in a rough voice.

“Oh Deepa I am really sorry that I couldn’t join you. You know I had to prepare for the presentation i have to give to Mr. Gonzelo in Singapore. You know this is only due to this project. Even I feel that I am not giving you time. Please tell me what happened at the meeting?” Arun asked again.

All this while Deepa’s eyes were searching for something desperately. If he is really apologetic then he must have brought it. Its not there on the sofa or the dining table not even in the almirah. She was searching for that favorite bunch of orchids and chocolates that he used to bring every time they had a fight.

“He just doesn’t care about me. He is definitely having another woman in his life.” She thought in her mind.

She went straight to the washroom for a shower without giving any reply. It didn’t take long for Arun to realize that she was still upset with him for not accompanying her for the parent-teachers meet. He was just thinking about this while wearing the shirt and he got a call from Mr. Gonzelo, the client. “Yes Mr. Gonzelo, the flight is at 10 o’clock and you can expect me in your office by tomorrow morning.” He hurriedly packed his bag and got ready to leave. Deepa was in the balcony pretending to read something but actually avoiding to face him. He went to the balcony and said, “I’ll be back in two days.’

She just hummed and gave him a plain look.

He rushed downstairs where office car was waiting for him and set off.

She wasn’t in a mood to cook so she ordered a pizza. Deepa made Avi sleep in her bed after the dinner and came to watch an old English movie in the drawing room but the weariness took over her and she slept off on the sofa.

It was around 12 in the night when her cell phone rang. She woke up with a shock. It was her friend Sumita. Deepa picked the call and even before she could say anything, Sumita shouted “Switch on the TV, Star news”. She sounded too scared. “Tell me what happened Sumita”. Sumita was Deepa’s friend and Deepa’s husband Kishore was also accompanying Arun on the flight to Singapore as they were working on the same project. She switched on the TV and tuned to star news. “The Singapore bound flight IC 401 has met with an accident on the runway at Mumbai Airport and caught fire. It’s too early to comment on the condition of the passengers but the severe ness of the accident suggests there would hardly be any survivors” the news reader said. Deepa was like nowhere. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “Deepa, I am so scared?” Sumita said.Deepa was scared to the brim herself. She didn’t know when the phone slipped from her hand on the floor. She was cursing herself for this with no reasons. She tried Arun’s number but it was switched off. She could imagine the airhostess announcing “Passengers are requested to switch off their cell phones.”

She couldn’t help those drops running down her cheeks. She fainted while muttering “Arun don’t leave me. I can’t live without you.”

She regained her conscious only when water was sprinkled on her face and she find him in front of her. She hugged her tightly and started crying like a baby. “Why did you leave me, you know I can’t live without you.”  and started kissing his cheeks passionately. It took her sometime to notice a bunch of orchids and her favorite chocolates on the table. “How could I leave my Deepu angry on me? I missed my flight while buying these chocolates for you. Deepa your love saved my life today. I’ll never fight with you. You are my love and my life.” Arun said with gratefullnes in her voice and kissed her gently on her cheeks.

“If we don’t fight how will you get to buy chocolates then?” she said with a smile on her face.

“Where is Kishore?” Deepa asked after sometime.

“He had no chocolates to buy so he boarded the flight in time.” Arun replied and hugged her tight with all his strength. Deepa kept staring at those chocolates which saved Arun’s life.

 

AnujShailGupt

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