It was nearing dusk

 It was nearing dusk as I sat

On the steps of the pool, sipping some hot tea from my kulhar along with a maska bun…. alone. I wore a tidy jeans and a casual shirt. It did not take me long to remember those days when i used to eagerly wait for the early morning tea and maska bun with her.

The cool and fresh morning air felt very rejuvenating and comforting….

It used to be full of adventure and most importantly love…. Unconditional love.

While it was no secret that we had started liking each other and started confessing it more number of times, hardly did we realize that we had started falling in love with each other.

Then one fine day, I gathered all the courage I had and proposed her. I wrote a romantic proposal and presented it to her, after reading which she kissed me right away. If only could you experience that moment, then would you realize how ecstatic it felt. It sent shivers down my body, and I remember it with the minutest details……

This heart denies accepting the fact that she is no longer mine, nor are those moments full of love.

What remains today are her splendid memories. Memories which I deny forgetting, memories which my heart disobey to wipe off and shamelessly stick on to, memories of her, memories of my love…...

I don’t know if I am right or wrong…. But all the lessons I learnt from you will always stay with me and even in the darkest hours, your memory would be the one which I would dwell upon, until I go to deep sleep.

I know I am hoping against the hope, but still if you happen to change your decision & come back to me, I will waste not a second to embrace you, to hug you tightly, to kiss you and never let you go. I would eagerly sit beside you closely and hold your hand while both of us get lost in deep conversations under the big tree at the church during the evening sun. Tell me…. Will you be mine…. Again? (Please say yes 🥹)

One day you might remember me…. With small tear in your eyes…. And recall that I was not that bad a person.

I wish…….

Lots of love! ❤️

(P.S.: This is fiction)

Music and Me

Hi,

I return after long.
Music has always remained an indispensable part in my life.
Here is the proof. Please follow the below link to watch the video. Happy listening! ✌️

https://www.facebook.com/roopak.pal/videos/10212281389169629/

Rest in Peace Dadu!

He came in this beautiful world with numerous dreams in his tiny eyes. Those dreams must have definitely scared him. But he was brave enough to shoo the fear away.

Whatever he dreamed, he fulfilled. A completely self made man, he knew what attracted him. With a little bit of fear and a lot of courage and forbearance, he single handedly went on to become what he is (sorry! was) today.

As I write this, a strange feeling of pride and inspiration brushes by me. Whatever he has imparted has been deeply ingrained in me and it will keep on lingering with me throughout my life.

He has taught me how to conquer heights but still stay rooted to your origins. He has displayed how to 'give' selflessly and still stay happy. Also he has taught how beautiful this world is. All you have to do is to feel its goodness immensely.

I will never get him back. That is for sure. But I definitely will have him ever ready in all his glory and grandeur to guide me throughout whenever in a dilemma.

This world is a beautiful place. All you and everyone else need to do is to accept all the goodness of the world. Such a kind and generous soul he was. Only his body has left this world, but he will continue to live for eternity. Whatever he has left will definitely keep on growing further and further manifolds.

And I am sure, today wherever he is seated in heaven, he is watching all of us with a gentle smile on his face and uttering 'May God bless you!'

Dadu! You will always continue to survive!

Rest in Peace Dadu! ☹

N.B. Dadu in Bangla means maternal grandfather. He has departed for his heavenly abode on the 27th of February, 2017.
In the above picture: I and Dadu together

Bangalore.... What a ROCKING city!

Dulquer Salmaan was correct when he quoted Bangalore as 'Bangalore.... What a rocking city' in the movie 'Bangalore Days'.
I am neither a Kannadiga nor was I born or brought up in Bangalore. It's just 8 months that I am inhabiting this cool city and in this short span of time, I have fallen in love with each and every molecule of the city.
My stay in Bangalore dates back to the January of 2015. I stayed in Bangalore then for over a month. And then after a short span of time in Chennai I am back here at Bangalore.
So without much a do, let me take you to the tour of Bangalore City through my eyes.
It was a winter morning when I first landed in Bangalore for the first time in my life. Being my first visit to this IT capital of India, I had a lot of curiosities and excitement about this city.
'Will I able to communicate?' 'Will I be able to adjust myself with the food of here?' Questions like these had started flooding my mind and I was curious to answer them all.
My journey in Bangalore began from Yeswantpur Railway Station when I was received by my friend Ranjeet.
The first day itself, I had started loving the atmosphere of the city. Lush green sorroundings coupled with the awesome mausam of the city seemed to bow a grand welcome to me. And I was very much comforted to find people fluently speaking in Hindi. So that was a great positive sign for me. I did not find Bangalore any different from Rajasthan to communicate. This also adds to the reason why I love this city.

Silk board they call it but believe me you would neither find any display of sericulture nor any exclusive showoom dedicated to silk clothings. But what you would definitely see is a multi-storey building standing majestically and serving as the most prominent landmark of the area. Yes, you almost got it correct. I am talking of the the Central Silk Board building.
This was the place where I spent the first days in Bangalore.
Flooded with youngsters, this place fills me with an youthful vibe. From edibles to friendly people, batchmates to liquor offerings, this place has it all for me (and any youngster of my age obviously).
I was leading an extended college life here with most of my batchmates in my vicinity and my seniors just at the distance of a call. And not to forget my childhood buddies and schoolmates from Udaipur.
To sum up I was having a wonderful time.
The vast and wide roads, jolly and friendly people, the jawdropping architectures of the buildings of different IT firms, the filter coffee, the pubs, the BMTC buses, the climate, the presence of a young soul in the city gave me all that made me fall for this city.
Then comes the place called as Marathalli or Maratahalli (as it is called in Kannada) which stands to be my second most favourite place. You can practically find almost anything here to make your life happening. Be it a grand offering of mouth watering food for yourself or just losing yourself in the vast multitude of the city. This place has got it all.

Then comes the place called as MG Road followed by Brigade road. They are simply amazing and a walk through the roads of these areas with your special someone can give you a memory of a lifetime. Yes you got that correct.

Be it Cubbon Park or UB City or Lal Bagh you will simply fall more and more in love with the city.
And since now that I've started to live in this magical city again, I owe a lot to this city.
Bengaluru I just love you! Just stay awesome and Green!

Namma Bengaluru!

Your Roopak

PC: redif.com and e2ua.com

Sculpting your life

Human beings are the most advanced species created by God they say. So being advanced (which we are definitely) we are in a constant cycle of growth and development.
In this rat race people have started forgetting their own interests and getting enrobed into what people term as 'livelihood'
While trying to match up with the 'society's interests' people have started marring their own interest. The little hint of fire that is inside them is extinguished. Thanks to the this never ending race to match up with the expectations of the society.

What I personally feel is that whatever the world has to say about one, he/ she should stay so much passionate about the world and should go to any extent to fulfill his/ her dream.
Afterall sculpting one's life is in one's hand and this makes them infact the most advanced species on the face of the world.
If practice such as this is implemented by each human, then near is the day when every human will lead his/ her 'own' life and happiness everywhere.

So you have got only one life! Make the best of it!
Live your 'own' life! Chase your dreams! Be the master of your own wills!
Let the world be curious about you! You have got all that it takes to be one!

Your
Roopak

Retaliation!

Featuring a video which shows that not only humans retaliate but few creatures on the world if triggered would definitely retaliate!!
This video that was shot by my respected father, begins with a kid troubling a calf. Initially the calf continuously ignores the kid. But it turns to be 'too much'. The calf is instigated and retaliates.
The video ends with a bash.

Have a watch!

The world's a mind game!!

With the huge multitude of the tasks to be performed, even 24 hours a day seems quite a small period to complete the everyday tasks. The CPU of the human body i.e. the brain suffers the most then. Just like a machinery that requires a periodic oiling to prevent rust, the human brain also needs few exercises to keep it working tooth and nail and free from 'rust'. Few people realize it.

Presenting 11 tips on how to workout your brain so that it can fire out all its cylinders.

1. Challenge yourself: If you are right handed try being left handed and vice versa to workout the other side of brain.
2. Learn new things: Throw down all the shackles. Learn a new thing that you have gone mad about always. If you love moonwalk- 'Moonwalk yourself', if u love guitar- learn it and perform it live in a concert.
3. Friendship with brain games: Let yourself know how powerful your brain is. Get a 'sudoku' and solve it or pick up today's newspaper and solve the crossword puzzle or develop an interest in chess, defeat your opponent and show him/ her how mentally powerful you are!
4. Buy a great time time for yourself: Don't forget to love yourself . Go out for a walk into the park, eat an ice cream, scream out loud, party hard and laugh out loud.
5. Read and read: Select a few books of the topics you love and read them and enjoy. Remember Television only 'shows' you the things but reading leads to a complete workout of the mind and transfers you 'into the book'.
6. Run: Yes, but don't worry. You don't need to be a marathon runner to do so. Just lace up your sports shoes and set out for it. Both the mind and the body shape will be taken care of.
7. Memorize: Next time you meet a person during a party or a meeting, ask his name and ask his name to yourself. I assure you, at the end of the party or the meeting, you'll still retain it. Find out where you kept the car key last time, what on earth is your neighbour's cellphone no.
8. Be your own compass: Keep away all your navigation aids loaded with the newest and smart GPS systems or anything new. Start early and reach to your destination accurately. Repeat it daily. You'll feel yourself smarter.
9. Calculator?? Naah!!: The next time you visit a mall or a supermarket, let your brain calculate the total bill. Vedic mathematics comes in handy in such scenarios.
10. Meditate: Remember what our forefathers have left us are the time tested ones. Find a quiet dark and soothing place for yourself. Light an incense stick of your choice and meditate while contemplating yourself.
11. Be a computer worm: Surf the net, blog your articles, play some really high definition racing games or mission games, apply all the shortcut keys one bu one. Be the master of your computer.

The Darjeeling

Buddha idol in seated posture
(Japanese Temple)

Be it the beginning of a cloudy and crisp morning with a cup of hot tea, be it the hissing shrill of the steam engine emerging out of the greens from nowhere, be it witnessing the rising sun from the 'Tiger Hills' or be it spotting numerous Buddhist monasteries, all of them have one thing in common...

Yes, I'm talking of none other than the magical land of 'Darjeeling'. Situated at an average elevation of  6,710 ft (2,045.2 m), the tea town stands in utter grandeur and majesty with a sea of utter silence, only seldom disturbed by the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway or the famous toy train and the flowing traffic.

The serpent shaped road to Darjeeling

The journey to the tea town starts from the city of  Siliguri and after undergoing an adventurous journey of 77 km through the National Highway 55 the town that stays obscured behind the clouds becomes visible. From the height of Darjeeling the left behind city of  Siliguri appears tiny and the roads imitate a brisk moving serpent. Besides this the  World Heritage Site by UNESCO or the  Darjeeling Himalayan Railway comes in handy for an awesome journey in the laps of the Himalaya, if time is not a factor or the track is free from landslides.

The first glimpse of Darjeeling

The Himalayan 'Toy Train'

Close to nature- bee collecting nectar

Once in Darjeeling, one develops immense love for the town. The local people display their friendly character evident from the delicate flower pots they exhibit on their gallery. For a tourist nothing is much needed than this!

Here comes the Sun from behind the clouds

The day starts with a glimpse of the rising sun from the 'Tiger Hill' which seems to be a matter of luck! In fact Mr Sun turns a shy one here rarely revealing itself from behind the dark clouds. I was lucky to get a glimpse of Mr Sun.

A trip into the clouds

Then we travel steering through the cloud clad narrow road to the Buddhist Monastery which reminds the rich cultural and spiritual beliefs aptly retained by the people here. Here a giant idol of seated Buddha grabs the limelight! In addition to this the chants of the Buddhist monks bring every people to halt and have a glance to this practice.

War memorial- Batasia loop

Next comes the Batasia Loop. As clear from the name this place is
known for 'Batas' or the breeze blowing through this area. This used to be a part of the Toy Train track, which has now been converted into a war memorial in remembrance of the 'Gorkha' soldiers.

The Japanese Temple

Standing atop a steep hill en-robed within the clouds comes the 'Japanese Temple' or Peace Pagoda, featuring several idols of lord Buddha in various postures all painted in metallic golden color. At this place the phrase NA-MU-MYO-HO-REN-GE-KYO becomes prominent with the monks chanting it to the beats of a drum its translation in Indian language being 'Saddharam Pundarik Sutraya'.

Moments of leisure!

Following this the tour approaches its last phase- The Padmaja Naidu
Himalayan Zoological Park and the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute. The zoo showcases a variety of Fauna commonly prevalent in the region. There are Himalayan wild dogs, bear, barking deer, the Royal Bengal Tiger, cheetah, yak etc. This spot serves as a hot spot for amateur photographers like me!

A climbing rock

Lastly we approach the Tenzing Rock, a steep rocky structure intended for the training of the mountain climbers. Just a fascinating location. A part of it is open to tourists who wish to get an experience in climbing on a ticket of minimal charge.

And what to say about the tea gardens. Initially started by the British planters in 1856, the 'Darjeeling Tea' has taken the world by it like a storm. Not only India, but a host of other countries have come up as great consumers of the tea. The fact that one is in Darjeeling is evident from the large rows of tea trees covering both sides of the roads, kilometres before approaching the town.



Lastly the tour gets its 'The End'. The mind and soul that has become so much attached to the place finds it difficult to leave it. For me if there is a Heaven on Earth, it's Darjeeling. It has attracted many troubled minds for rejuvenation and revival, and will keep on doing so. Still in the laps of nature, seemingly untouched by humans a land full of pines and flowers, the magical land bids a farewell to me and so do I. Goodbye Darjeeling! Stay awesome forever!

The tea gardens
credits: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tea_Garden_Darjeeling_West_Bengal_India_(3).JPG

N.B.- excluding the last one, all photos are clicked by me

The Durga Puja and Bengalis

Om Sarvamangalya Mangalye Shive Sarvarth Sadhike;

Sharanye Traymbake Gauri Narayani Namostute!

Yes! with the holy words a Bengali starts to get into a dream. The dream of celebrating the Durga Puja  with his/ her family and loved ones. The environment which has turned green after the Monsoons seems to welcome Maa Durga in a Grand manner. Everywhere in the air a festive scent mingles. The playful heart synchronizes it self with the rhythms of the Dhaak. And why to keep aside the jolly and playful Dhunuchi Naach.

 After a year the wait is over. Maa is all set to descend down to earth and assure the humanity that life is still good and the earth still a wonderful place to be! There is a sudden change in the routines of people. The shops and bazaars become populated. Each one strives to get the best and the Market competes to fulfill their desires. Everything  seems New in the festive season!

Durga Maa's idol at Bindu Bhawan, Udaipur

Traditionally the Durga Puja is celebrated during the Devi Paksha and is preceded by Mahalaya (15 days before the Durga Puja) and the end is marked by the Kojagari Lokhkhi Pujo.

Durga Puja is celebrated thoroughly in the indian states of West Bengal and Tripura which are predominantly Bengali. Besides these, the states of Assam, Bihar, Odisha and Jharkhand also play an active role in the Durga Puja celebration. Nowadays many expatriate Bengalis who have settled down in other states also mark their participation into the festival with great enthusiasm and zeal. The states of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Gujarat and many more give a tough competition to the festive Aura during the days of Puja.

The Bangla Proverb 'Sholoyana Bangaliyana' comes to reality in concrete form during these days. It is during these days that a Bengali forgets his hectic schedule and breathes rejuvenation and revival into his life. The 'Bangalir Adda' becomes a prominent scene in the Puja pandals. And when there is Adda, should there be any compromise to the 'Pet Puja to the Bongos'?

The pandals start brimming with the aroma of the mouth watering delicacies cooked and served in traditional Bengali style . While few who prefer roaming in the city, the roadside stalls are an option nothing can second by. The mouth watering 'Foochkas' are the starters and for those being passionate about their stomach the roadsides seems like an 'Oasis' to a thirsty camel! The Mughlai Parathas come in handy, the entangling of the noodles to the fork seems an interesting job and as if it was not enough, there are ice creams ranging from the flavors of chocolate, strawberry, vanilla, blackforest and many others! Surely a Bongo and away from food? Impossible!


Day by day the four days just vanish away like a swift deer and people are left with the day of 'Bijaya Dashami'. Yes Maa has to go now promising a comeback the next year but till then, the wait stays on! Leaving behind numerous brimming eyes filled with a dream- a dream to Welcome back Maa as soon as possible!

And then begins the Days of Bijaya as is locally referred as! People visit people and when ther is a visit then no compromise is expected for the 'Paet Puja'. The Bengali houses become a store for 'Narkeler naru', 'Raushogolla', 'nimki' and many other delicacies. These are the happiest days for them in the year.

Lastly these magical days come to an end with the 'Kojagori Lokhkhi Pujo' and life returns to its previous routine but yet keeps motivated to the humans with dreams in their eyes- dreams of achievement' dreams of being successful, dreams of creating a better society and making world a better place to live. Motivation that Maa will soon be back! :)

Asche Bochor Abar Hobe- Maa before immersion