శ్రీరామ రామ రామేతి రమే రామే మనోరమే|
సహస్రనామ తత్తుల్యం రామ నామ వరాననే||
Happy Sriramanavami!
Yeah, I know you may not be reading it on any navami but this was meant to be documented. And this, I document. And this, is an account of what I did today. Actually, yesterday. A little fiction added. Why? Because, it is written. This was meant to be documented. It is going to take a while to read, I warn you. This might offend you, real bad, I inform you, especially if you are my blood relative.
It has been almost two years since my campus days. Those were the days when we discussed if we need to bathe in Januaries. Or in winters. Or just any day. But Alas! I could not wonder now how I had taken bath almost every day for the next one year. Now, as I am back to studying (or sitting idle), I am not wasting much water. But today's navami and I like Rama. So I had to bathe today and I did. Despite my flu-like symptoms (not that swine one, I hope), I shampooed (I checked, that term exists). And conditioned. I had recited the above sloka with Rama in heart and mind (may be). I could hear the pooja happening somewhere nearby. Had breakfast and then I thought on how I should spend the rest of the day.
I searched for telescopes on the Net, how to make them, where to buy them, what to buy, things to keep in mind, tools needed, kinds of telescope ( heard of the reflector telescopes for the first time), price and availability in India and ... and finally I decided to go to a movie. Telescopes will have to wait. They are either too costly or too cumbersome to make or actually, too dis-interesting.
I finally planned to watch Wrath of the Titans 3D at Prasad's IMAX and then John Carter 3D at Prasad's. I know, every critic on has the blasted their Wrath on the Titans but there are somethings I liked about the earlier Clash. After watching Schindler's List, anyone on earth would admire the acting prowess of both Liam Neeson and Ralph Fiennes. That they are returning as Zeus and Hades is enough for me to face the Wrath. Booked my ticket - C32, third from the bottom. Definitely not the best place. I have underestimated the movie, the affordability of viewers and forgot that today's a holyday. Reached at 2:30PM for the 3:00PM show after scolding an autowalah for asking 60/- when it would have cost me only 27/-. After collecting my ticket, I went to the McDonald's. the rush at the counter terrorized me and I went to the Subway. Here the rush shocked me but I had no other alternative. If I had forgotten to mention, the multiplex looked like a fish market. The most conspicuous event was of Uninor's. No idea what they are promoting after their licenses got cancelled. The host is shouting on mike, asking someone to sing a song, in any language he/she wishes, but it must include Uninor in it. Fish in the water, Uninor in the gutter. Look, I know one!
I entered the auditorium a little late and to my delight, a young woman is on C31. Then I saw the gentleman on C30 sharing her popcorn (Little fictionalized to cover my image if ever my parents, wife or any other relative reads this in future). The movie was dumb. Dumber than the already dumb Greek mythology (No offense. I love it, in fact). Unlike the previous movie, this movie can justify the title. At least to an extent. It features only one Titan. And he lives for only 10 minutes on screen in a neither-a-human-nor-a-god-like form. After generations of father-son cheating-killing-loving-helping-crying, the movie ended. But I think even the makers know that the movie is not going to be some epic drama. It is the special effects they are selling. The 3D effects are amazing as in A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. The IMAX screen definitely helped in intensifying the effect. I wouldn't mind watching more of this codswallop if the Titans keep up their special effects. The adrenaline was enough for a day. I found also, by the end, that my laughter was in sync with the beautiful woman besides me. When the movie got finished, I found something on the hand-rest. My coke from subway. Then I remembered. I didn't finish it as my bladder was full before the movie started. But I didn't visit the toilets earlier as I didn't want to carry coke into them. Finished coke and got out fast and to the toilets. And I peed.
I came down to the ground floor. I called Anil. He said that John Carter 3D was a good movie to watch. So why delay? I went to the box office. The queue is long even here. I stood in the middle queue. The display showed that tickets are available for the 5:30PM show. Then I left the box office. I do not have lot of money to spend on the movie. I need to be austere. Austerer than Spain, Greece or any of those PIGS. I will walk from here to Secretariat bus stop and take a bus back home. May be I can walk to Telephone Bhavan the other way round and take a bus? Or May be I can walk back home? I must walk. And walking I came out and bought an ice cream for 25/-.
Then I went towards necklace road junction. And here, here, I didn't know that it is written. I was not in control of myself for the next few hours. I was, but may be I wasn't. I didn't, but may be I did. I wanted to walk the entire necklace road, tankbund around the hussain sagar and then go home on foot. A full 10km or more. And so walk I did. Any other day, I would have crossed the road as any respectful Hyderabadi would have. By showing my palm to the oncoming speedy traffic, confusing them to stop, having my right of way across the road. Risky but noble. Any Hyderabadi with an ounce of cerebrum would dare not be ignoble by using the footpath or using the white marks on the road, I mean the zebra crossing. But I did. I went left (Map attached for reference. The Red Line). Zebra crossed to the necklace road left lane footpath. Then zebra crossed to the central divider of necklace road and then to the footpath on NTR Marg. Now I need to move into the grassy patch on the left. All on footpath or the white marks. May the Holy Hyderabadi Gods pour their mercy upon me!
I walked on the grassy patch licking my ice cream. I walked. I looked at the females and saw males. The grass looked unkempt and the water very unpleasant. But I walked. I licked. I stopped. Because the entry to the people's plaza was blocked due to the preparation work for a handicraft expo. I took the footpath again. Walked past the plaza into the next section of grass. here I carefully strolled past a bunch of girls as if I am not interested in them yet obtaining a full glimpse of most of them. Time waste. I licked. Then I took the footpath again. Here I saw a young boy, a future citizen of India, throw an empty water bottle onto the road, from the footpath. Impressed by his talents, I wanted to give him a strong response, like a call of duty, but thought not to interfere in his business. Then, out of the blue, I went to the Eat Street.
I chose a chair besides the lake and after removing the dry leaves on it, sat. To make sure that I do not look an odd man out, I took out my mobile and looked at it as if I am expecting someone. You see, though the place is named Eat Street, you don't just eat there, you meet there. Luckily, my plight ended soon as I saw some people going towards what looked like a new park. I went in. It turned out be children's park. Unfortunately, I was not married nor did I have any children. Generally, in these situations, we come back. We go home. We are sane. But I was insane. What happened next had to be documented. This I document. I looked to my right. And I saw the boating counter.
I asked him whether there's any cruise trip today. He said there's one leaving in 10 minutes and pointed towards one boat. But I doubted it. I didn't see anyone either near the counter or at the boat. So I didn't believe his statement. But then a young man came to the counter and inquired about the trips. He is not alone, obviously. I think they are married, anyways. I took courage and bought a ticket for five tens, and verified again if the boat leaves in ten minutes. The trip would last 30 minutes. Then I saw a couple young boys asking the whereabouts of the boat. I was then confident of the cruise and happily went to pee.
By the time I returned, the boat was occupied by many girls and a couple of boys. I boarded quickly and started familiarizing with the boat and the water. Then I took out my phone with 2MP camera and started taking pics.
Then I saw two young men like me immersed in their struggle to take pictures of themselves on an iPhone. They finally sat besides me, probably thinking that that was the best place to take pictures, I am not sure if they thought that because of my photo-taking activity. But they sat and continued their struggle. Finally one of them had the courage to ask me to take a pic of theirs together. And so I accepted. The lighting was so bad and my photography pathetic that the pictures came out as if their faces had been painted with black soot. I gave back their iPhone after two pics and sat on my seat. I tried to strike a conversation hoping that they would take a pic of mine and probably send me by Bluetooth or some other iPhone gimmick. But again, they were too busy with their photography. So I took out my phone again to experiment. And, I managed to take a picture of mine.
Then the boat started.
So I took another picture of mine.
I never was a great photographer. I was never more click-happy. I went on taking picture after picture like a person who has never seen a lake or a boat or a camera. Finally, we reached the Buddha.
And I started my click happiness again. Starting with different mudras on the four sides.
Then I concentrated on the inscription.
I never knew that the holy 16th Dalai Lama was present when this statue was erected. It is a marvelous sculpture. Carved from a single stone. Weighing over 300 tonnes, it was carried from Raigiri on a carriage with 190 odd wheels, for over 60kms. An old man, after reading that information on the board, commented to his wife - "He at least did something good, before dying". That was a comment on the ex-chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, Late Shri Nandamuri Taraka Ramarao. It is said that NTR liked the lake and its surroundings, especially the tankbund, so much so that he installed the statues of the great people from the past, who contributed to Telugu culture, on the tankbund. Unfortunately, almost every statue is destroyed by separatist elements fighting for Telangana. What do those <beep-beep-censored> know about those great people! Had there been a road-link to Buddha statue, I fear, even it might have stood fallen now.
Despite being a tourist location, the place was maintained neatly. Even the prices of cool drinks were cheap. Only 5-10/- more than MRP. And it takes only 150-200/- for a good photo printout of your family before the statue, taken by expert cameramen. Meanwhile, I stood before Buddha like a student listening to his guru, like a rain drop ready to mix in ocean, like a fallen leaf under a shady tree. It was a moment I had dreamed for years. I want to visit Gaya too, but this would be a moment I will treasure. My mind was full of thoughts and for past few hours, not been my mind at all. If it is a fluid, it's Reynolds number would have been so huge. But, there he stood, smiling, at me, at them, at those flying birds and at the flowing water. It has a childishness to it, the smile. Like a child who just saw his mother. I was sure that that would not be my last visit. And I had taken some pics of the peaceful one.
And then I left the Rock of Gibraltor.
BRIDE WANTED. CASTE LANGUAGE RELIGION NO BAR. A FAIR EDUCATED GIRL FOR AN IITIAN. GOOD SALARY. DOWRY NOT EXPECTED. PHOTO ATTACHED.
He asked me, "Telangana?" I thought for a moment on what I should answer. Then replied, "Haan", though a rebellious part of me wanted to see what would happen if I said otherwise. "Where are you from?", his next question. I stumbled. Actually, what should I answer? Where am I from? Miryalaguda, Nalgonda, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Kanpur? I am not exaggerating, but I am confused generally on what to answer when someone asks that question. I feel home at many places and feel them as my places. Finally I made up my mind and told him, "Miryalaguda, Nalgonda District". He smiled and said, "Mine's Pochampalli. Same road na? Vijayawada highway?" I replied in affirmative. I commented about the quality of water in the lake. Then he asked me what I was doing. Again, another tricky question. Seriously, what was I doing these days? What am I up to? Had to answer. "I'm studying. I mean, I worked for an year, and stopped." He asked,"What are you studying? MBA?" Surprised at that question, I said,"No. I'm preparing to become a Collector-like officer. You see, these SPs, big officers in that secretariat", pointing at the secretariat,"all must write that exam." He wanted more details. I gave him. The duration of test. The number of stages. And then he got disinterested. He said, "Will we get Telangana?" For this I had only one answer. "Must wait and see." Evasive but diplomatic. By then we reached the landing point. I asked him pointing at another boat-like structure besides this one, "Is that a boat too?" "No, it is just used for boarding and getting off." With that, I got off and left to the Eat Street.
I crossed the road. I observed some rich aunties coming out of one of the lawns. I heard someone say, "Is the walk over?" And faintly heard also, "We have walked enough already". Thought not to waste my resources anymore on them, I reached the Necklace Road MMTS station parking. My plan is to board one MMTS. Go where? Khairatabad, Lakdikapul? Have buses back home from both places. Finished my drink and dropped it in a trash can and entered the station. And I am shocked at the enormity of the lounge. Am I in India? Seriously, one of the nicer MMTS stations in Hyderabad. Of course, I have seen the platform many times in many Telugu movies. It is mostly used for shooting films than for commuting, I think.
I asked the guard about where I should buy tickets as I do not find anyone in the counters. He asked me to go to the other side. Today was Sunday and holyday, I forgot. I used the Foot Over Bridge and crossed to the other side. The person is too busy listening to songs.
In Pictures, clockwise from top left, The RajBhavan road, the necklace road, The Hotel Park, KFC, The Slum and Hotel Park Entrance.
I got down the FOB and settled on one of those highly polished rocky chairs cum pillars we find in Indian stations. Then I saw something.
The Hotel Park is suddenly illuminated in red. Red! Red? And there is only one other kind of buildings illuminated in similar red. My thoughts immediately went to the De Wallen (Amsterdam), Reiperbahn(Somewhere in Germany) and other famous red light districts. Of all the colors in the visible spectrum, why would a so called cosmopolitan modern hotel choose a color associated with prostitution? Something is fishy. I know someone who works in there, a friend of Anil. Must ask him when he comes to my room.
సహస్రనామ తత్తుల్యం రామ నామ వరాననే||
Happy Sriramanavami!
Yeah, I know you may not be reading it on any navami but this was meant to be documented. And this, I document. And this, is an account of what I did today. Actually, yesterday. A little fiction added. Why? Because, it is written. This was meant to be documented. It is going to take a while to read, I warn you. This might offend you, real bad, I inform you, especially if you are my blood relative.
It has been almost two years since my campus days. Those were the days when we discussed if we need to bathe in Januaries. Or in winters. Or just any day. But Alas! I could not wonder now how I had taken bath almost every day for the next one year. Now, as I am back to studying (or sitting idle), I am not wasting much water. But today's navami and I like Rama. So I had to bathe today and I did. Despite my flu-like symptoms (not that swine one, I hope), I shampooed (I checked, that term exists). And conditioned. I had recited the above sloka with Rama in heart and mind (may be). I could hear the pooja happening somewhere nearby. Had breakfast and then I thought on how I should spend the rest of the day.
Recently, I had developed a small interest on stars and planets in the night sky, may be because I live in a penthouse room. Sky, especially at nights has a magical effect on me. Staring at those stars, especially the Orion constellation, Sirius, Aldebaran and of course, Sudhamsh (I mean the other one, the moon), I seem to forget most of my worries. My mind sort of becomesblank, empty. I planned to watch the Orionids in last October, but they were not visible to naked eye. Disappointed, I wanted my roommate make a telescope for me. Anil is best at making innovative tools out of the junk. I am sure he would love to test his skills in making a telescope. The plan didn't materialize.
I searched for telescopes on the Net, how to make them, where to buy them, what to buy, things to keep in mind, tools needed, kinds of telescope ( heard of the reflector telescopes for the first time), price and availability in India and ... and finally I decided to go to a movie. Telescopes will have to wait. They are either too costly or too cumbersome to make or actually, too dis-interesting.
I have a dream. No, not the Martin Luther King's dream. No, notdream. Let's call it a wish. I want to watch three movies in a single day. No two must be consecutively in the screens which share a same lobby. I mean, different theaters. I have planned this for n-times but at best I watched two in same theater. Lack of proper films, transportation, food, exhaustion etc. were the considerations.
I finally planned to watch Wrath of the Titans 3D at Prasad's IMAX and then John Carter 3D at Prasad's. I know, every critic on has the blasted their Wrath on the Titans but there are somethings I liked about the earlier Clash. After watching Schindler's List, anyone on earth would admire the acting prowess of both Liam Neeson and Ralph Fiennes. That they are returning as Zeus and Hades is enough for me to face the Wrath. Booked my ticket - C32, third from the bottom. Definitely not the best place. I have underestimated the movie, the affordability of viewers and forgot that today's a holyday. Reached at 2:30PM for the 3:00PM show after scolding an autowalah for asking 60/- when it would have cost me only 27/-. After collecting my ticket, I went to the McDonald's. the rush at the counter terrorized me and I went to the Subway. Here the rush shocked me but I had no other alternative. If I had forgotten to mention, the multiplex looked like a fish market. The most conspicuous event was of Uninor's. No idea what they are promoting after their licenses got cancelled. The host is shouting on mike, asking someone to sing a song, in any language he/she wishes, but it must include Uninor in it. Fish in the water, Uninor in the gutter. Look, I know one!
I entered the auditorium a little late and to my delight, a young woman is on C31. Then I saw the gentleman on C30 sharing her popcorn (Little fictionalized to cover my image if ever my parents, wife or any other relative reads this in future). The movie was dumb. Dumber than the already dumb Greek mythology (No offense. I love it, in fact). Unlike the previous movie, this movie can justify the title. At least to an extent. It features only one Titan. And he lives for only 10 minutes on screen in a neither-a-human-nor-a-god-like form. After generations of father-son cheating-killing-loving-helping-crying, the movie ended. But I think even the makers know that the movie is not going to be some epic drama. It is the special effects they are selling. The 3D effects are amazing as in A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. The IMAX screen definitely helped in intensifying the effect. I wouldn't mind watching more of this codswallop if the Titans keep up their special effects. The adrenaline was enough for a day. I found also, by the end, that my laughter was in sync with the beautiful woman besides me. When the movie got finished, I found something on the hand-rest. My coke from subway. Then I remembered. I didn't finish it as my bladder was full before the movie started. But I didn't visit the toilets earlier as I didn't want to carry coke into them. Finished coke and got out fast and to the toilets. And I peed.
INTERVAL
HAVE A BREAK, HAVE A KIT-KAT
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It doesn't feel right. What is she hiding from me? Her voice was unusual. May be she is busy. May be watching a movie. May be she didn't have proper lunch. Or sleep. May be she is just busy. She doesn't like the idea of me watching a movie before my exams. Glad I didn't tell her my whole idea of watching another movie. Must try calling again once I go home.
I came down to the ground floor. I called Anil. He said that John Carter 3D was a good movie to watch. So why delay? I went to the box office. The queue is long even here. I stood in the middle queue. The display showed that tickets are available for the 5:30PM show. Then I left the box office. I do not have lot of money to spend on the movie. I need to be austere. Austerer than Spain, Greece or any of those PIGS. I will walk from here to Secretariat bus stop and take a bus back home. May be I can walk to Telephone Bhavan the other way round and take a bus? Or May be I can walk back home? I must walk. And walking I came out and bought an ice cream for 25/-.
Then I went towards necklace road junction. And here, here, I didn't know that it is written. I was not in control of myself for the next few hours. I was, but may be I wasn't. I didn't, but may be I did. I wanted to walk the entire necklace road, tankbund around the hussain sagar and then go home on foot. A full 10km or more. And so walk I did. Any other day, I would have crossed the road as any respectful Hyderabadi would have. By showing my palm to the oncoming speedy traffic, confusing them to stop, having my right of way across the road. Risky but noble. Any Hyderabadi with an ounce of cerebrum would dare not be ignoble by using the footpath or using the white marks on the road, I mean the zebra crossing. But I did. I went left (Map attached for reference. The Red Line). Zebra crossed to the necklace road left lane footpath. Then zebra crossed to the central divider of necklace road and then to the footpath on NTR Marg. Now I need to move into the grassy patch on the left. All on footpath or the white marks. May the Holy Hyderabadi Gods pour their mercy upon me!
I walked on the grassy patch licking my ice cream. I walked. I looked at the females and saw males. The grass looked unkempt and the water very unpleasant. But I walked. I licked. I stopped. Because the entry to the people's plaza was blocked due to the preparation work for a handicraft expo. I took the footpath again. Walked past the plaza into the next section of grass. here I carefully strolled past a bunch of girls as if I am not interested in them yet obtaining a full glimpse of most of them. Time waste. I licked. Then I took the footpath again. Here I saw a young boy, a future citizen of India, throw an empty water bottle onto the road, from the footpath. Impressed by his talents, I wanted to give him a strong response, like a call of duty, but thought not to interfere in his business. Then, out of the blue, I went to the Eat Street.
Eat Street is a really impressive place to hang out. An ideal place for reunions. You can always spot a bunch of girls having an overpriced diet coke chatting about the new tattoo on their boy friend's shoulder or playing with their expensive smartphones or a bunch of guys who came to look at the other bunch. I have been here earlier, again, for reunions. But never alone.
I chose a chair besides the lake and after removing the dry leaves on it, sat. To make sure that I do not look an odd man out, I took out my mobile and looked at it as if I am expecting someone. You see, though the place is named Eat Street, you don't just eat there, you meet there. Luckily, my plight ended soon as I saw some people going towards what looked like a new park. I went in. It turned out be children's park. Unfortunately, I was not married nor did I have any children. Generally, in these situations, we come back. We go home. We are sane. But I was insane. What happened next had to be documented. This I document. I looked to my right. And I saw the boating counter.
Hussain Sagar is one of the large lakes that Hyderabad was spotted with. Since it is in the center of the city, it is used for many purposes like throwing garbage, urinating and resting Vinayakas and other Gods/Goddesses. Earlier, there were reports that some people are using it to commit suicide by drinking water from the lake. What an idea sirji! Everyone would think it is "food poisoning" or something. This once fresh water lake, is now green water lake with high amounts of poisonous chemicals. I remember this whenever I see the lake. But one beautiful thing about it is the Buddha. Of all the men ever lived on earth, Buddha inspires me a lot. It is a serene feeling looking at him. I always wanted to watch that statue from close.
I asked him whether there's any cruise trip today. He said there's one leaving in 10 minutes and pointed towards one boat. But I doubted it. I didn't see anyone either near the counter or at the boat. So I didn't believe his statement. But then a young man came to the counter and inquired about the trips. He is not alone, obviously. I think they are married, anyways. I took courage and bought a ticket for five tens, and verified again if the boat leaves in ten minutes. The trip would last 30 minutes. Then I saw a couple young boys asking the whereabouts of the boat. I was then confident of the cruise and happily went to pee.
By the time I returned, the boat was occupied by many girls and a couple of boys. I boarded quickly and started familiarizing with the boat and the water. Then I took out my phone with 2MP camera and started taking pics.
Then I got up as if I was going to make a speech. Reached a pole on the side of the boat. Checked that I am not at the risk of falling into the poison. And started clicking.
 |
| The sun and its bright reflection in water |
 |
| The moon and its calm persona on earth |
And I started my click happiness again. Starting with different mudras on the four sides.
Then I concentrated on the inscription.
I never knew that the holy 16th Dalai Lama was present when this statue was erected. It is a marvelous sculpture. Carved from a single stone. Weighing over 300 tonnes, it was carried from Raigiri on a carriage with 190 odd wheels, for over 60kms. An old man, after reading that information on the board, commented to his wife - "He at least did something good, before dying". That was a comment on the ex-chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, Late Shri Nandamuri Taraka Ramarao. It is said that NTR liked the lake and its surroundings, especially the tankbund, so much so that he installed the statues of the great people from the past, who contributed to Telugu culture, on the tankbund. Unfortunately, almost every statue is destroyed by separatist elements fighting for Telangana. What do those <beep-beep-censored> know about those great people! Had there been a road-link to Buddha statue, I fear, even it might have stood fallen now.
Despite being a tourist location, the place was maintained neatly. Even the prices of cool drinks were cheap. Only 5-10/- more than MRP. And it takes only 150-200/- for a good photo printout of your family before the statue, taken by expert cameramen. Meanwhile, I stood before Buddha like a student listening to his guru, like a rain drop ready to mix in ocean, like a fallen leaf under a shady tree. It was a moment I had dreamed for years. I want to visit Gaya too, but this would be a moment I will treasure. My mind was full of thoughts and for past few hours, not been my mind at all. If it is a fluid, it's Reynolds number would have been so huge. But, there he stood, smiling, at me, at them, at those flying birds and at the flowing water. It has a childishness to it, the smile. Like a child who just saw his mother. I was sure that that would not be my last visit. And I had taken some pics of the peaceful one.
And then I left the Rock of Gibraltor.
INTERVAL
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Our whole universe was in a hot dense state,
Then nearly fourteen billion years ago expansion started--Wait!
The Earth began to cool,
The autotrophs began to drool,
Neanderthals developed tools,
We built a wall (we built the pyramids),
Math, science, history,
Unraveling the mystery,
Then nearly fourteen billion years ago expansion started--Wait!
The Earth began to cool,
The autotrophs began to drool,
Neanderthals developed tools,
We built a wall (we built the pyramids),
Math, science, history,
Unraveling the mystery,
That all started with the Big Bang! BANG!
BRIDE WANTED. CASTE LANGUAGE RELIGION NO BAR. A FAIR EDUCATED GIRL FOR AN IITIAN. GOOD SALARY. DOWRY NOT EXPECTED. PHOTO ATTACHED.
I messaged her. Guess where I am? After a while I got the reply. At home. Something's wrong. Something's going on.The boat I came in here was leaving. I hurried to enter. Then I found out. This boat is taking back the previous batch. Damn! Always in hurry. Anyways it's almost 25 mins of the expected 30 mins trip. So I didn't mind too much. I stood by the pole in the middle of the boat. Phone in my pockets. I thought of going to the front of the boat and may be get a different view. Just then, the boat seemed to slow down. The driver took his hands off the controls to drink water. I moved to a side to get a better view of the city. The breeze over the lake is soothing. And then, the boat assistant came and took a position beside me. I thought of striking a conversation and asked, "how many trips do you make per day, brother?" He didn't reply. Damn! He didn't even look at me. Then he said, "ten", in a rather stern voice.
He asked me, "Telangana?" I thought for a moment on what I should answer. Then replied, "Haan", though a rebellious part of me wanted to see what would happen if I said otherwise. "Where are you from?", his next question. I stumbled. Actually, what should I answer? Where am I from? Miryalaguda, Nalgonda, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Kanpur? I am not exaggerating, but I am confused generally on what to answer when someone asks that question. I feel home at many places and feel them as my places. Finally I made up my mind and told him, "Miryalaguda, Nalgonda District". He smiled and said, "Mine's Pochampalli. Same road na? Vijayawada highway?" I replied in affirmative. I commented about the quality of water in the lake. Then he asked me what I was doing. Again, another tricky question. Seriously, what was I doing these days? What am I up to? Had to answer. "I'm studying. I mean, I worked for an year, and stopped." He asked,"What are you studying? MBA?" Surprised at that question, I said,"No. I'm preparing to become a Collector-like officer. You see, these SPs, big officers in that secretariat", pointing at the secretariat,"all must write that exam." He wanted more details. I gave him. The duration of test. The number of stages. And then he got disinterested. He said, "Will we get Telangana?" For this I had only one answer. "Must wait and see." Evasive but diplomatic. By then we reached the landing point. I asked him pointing at another boat-like structure besides this one, "Is that a boat too?" "No, it is just used for boarding and getting off." With that, I got off and left to the Eat Street.
I called her. Told her that I was still away from home. She said OK. I asked her what's wrong. I was sure that she might not be taking it easy, my going out when I was supposed to study. She said she's fine. I asked her again, warning her not to hide anything. Same answer. I told her in a serious tone that I was uncomfortable talking to her when I detect something unusual, something sad in her voice. She said OK. I cut the call. I would deal with her later.Now what should I do? I thought of walking back home. That 10km walk. May be I can walk along the necklace road, sipping coffee. I need to be austere. So should I go out and buy one in a roadside stall? But they might not be good. That would spoil the mood. Hmm. Will have to break the bank. I went to CCD and inquired about their delivery, in cups or disposables. they kindly informed me after internal discussion that theirs is take-away only. I thanked them and ordered one chococcino, wondering the oddity of Italian spellings. vinci is pronounced as vinchi and capuccino which I would have pronounced as kapukkino is pronounced as kapuchchino, with a as in apple. Why this Kolaveri Italy??
Having collected my chococcino and some sugar and a stirrer, I reached a nearby table and cleared the decoration on the drink, taking more time to clear than the waiter took to make it, carefully. Thought of leaving, but the drink is too hot that I had to use the table. After a couple of sips, I checked out the tattoo stall, the sketch-machine stall and left the Street. I could have taken an auto back home. Or may be walked towards NTR Marg and a bus? No. I walked towards Jal Vihar on the necklace road. I saw a banner for some Blindness Eradication/Awareness Walk. Didn't care much about it to read in entirety. The day has been crazy. What do you do when your day gets crazy? Make it crazier.Kabse Usake Aane Ki Main Raah Takoon Kabse Chhupa Ke Ise Dil Mein Rakhoon Mere Dil Ne Taraasha Use Jaisa Milega Wahi Yaar Maahiya Hai Mujhe Aitbaar Maahiya Somewhere Out There, I Know There Is Someone Who Is Waiting Just For Me Maahiya He Is Gonaa Set Me Free Maahiya
I crossed the road. I observed some rich aunties coming out of one of the lawns. I heard someone say, "Is the walk over?" And faintly heard also, "We have walked enough already". Thought not to waste my resources anymore on them, I reached the Necklace Road MMTS station parking. My plan is to board one MMTS. Go where? Khairatabad, Lakdikapul? Have buses back home from both places. Finished my drink and dropped it in a trash can and entered the station. And I am shocked at the enormity of the lounge. Am I in India? Seriously, one of the nicer MMTS stations in Hyderabad. Of course, I have seen the platform many times in many Telugu movies. It is mostly used for shooting films than for commuting, I think.
I asked the guard about where I should buy tickets as I do not find anyone in the counters. He asked me to go to the other side. Today was Sunday and holyday, I forgot. I used the Foot Over Bridge and crossed to the other side. The person is too busy listening to songs.
Hai re Hai! jampandu roy!I had to ask for ticket twice, to get his attention. I shouted "Khairtabad". He was confused. I shouted again, "Khairatabad". I think the extra a was needed. I gave him 2/- for the ticket and came out. Must go again to the other side. Boarded the FOB again. Here again, see, I could have gone up to Nampally on the same ticket, or got down at lakdikapul instead of Khairatabad, which is just the next stop. Even the bus from Khairatabad goes via lakdikapul. But there I would need to cross a busy road and I did not want to be one of those one thousand people in Hyderabad who are affected by lung cancer every year. So I chose Khairatabad, where the bus stop is just besides the station.
Hai re Hai! Jampandu roy!
Em roopu ra, Em choopu ra!
Puduthune Uyyala Nuvu pothe MoyyalaI took out my phone again for some clicks which were to be documented and this I document. The Necklace road MMTS station has two major roads, The Raj Bhavan Road on one side and the Necklace Road on the other. And just as any other Hyderabad area, has a slum hidden in between, oblivious to the officials on one side and the corporates on the other. It also has a ultra-modern hotel on one side, The Park. I also found a KFC, which I had visited a few months back, but didn't knew that that was so close.
Eelope Edho Cheyyalaa...
Niluchunte busstopulo bussostadi ekkocche....
In Pictures, clockwise from top left, The RajBhavan road, the necklace road, The Hotel Park, KFC, The Slum and Hotel Park Entrance.
I got down the FOB and settled on one of those highly polished rocky chairs cum pillars we find in Indian stations. Then I saw something.
The Hotel Park is suddenly illuminated in red. Red! Red? And there is only one other kind of buildings illuminated in similar red. My thoughts immediately went to the De Wallen (Amsterdam), Reiperbahn(Somewhere in Germany) and other famous red light districts. Of all the colors in the visible spectrum, why would a so called cosmopolitan modern hotel choose a color associated with prostitution? Something is fishy. I know someone who works in there, a friend of Anil. Must ask him when he comes to my room.
By then, my train had arrived and I had to hurry. I had to take a pic and then enter. Enter I did. In less than two minutes, exit I did. Then I took a 190SK to Himayatnagar and got down at Allahabad Bank bus stop. Came home after having Idly. The rest, rests.
What must be written, is already written.
What is not written, need not be written.
THE END
A SUDHAMSH GOUTHAM PRESENTATION
Very humorous :)
ReplyDeletePhotos are awesome :D :D :D