PG- Romance with PG is now over….

I know not in which small part of the world I was blossomed and it became sweetest place ever on the earth – My Sweet Home. I know not whether I was gifted to them or they were to me by God – My parents. If God is the creator of everything and anything I thank him/her for creating me and the life gifted to me.

Don’t know how many of us actually thank him/her in our good times but I know for sure we will curse him/her at our tough times. We can’t blame unusual circumstances or unexpected situations or environment aroused coz of people around us, the reason being they will definitely give us back. That’s why we opt (most of us) God he/she will never utter a word back :) That’s human tendency of course we are created by him/her – manufacturing defect.

I have seen people giving Gyan on life, even I do :) ! However I share

Experiences --> Thoughts --> Ideas --> Action!

Many of my peak Experiences have become creative Thoughts and Thoughts gave birth to news Ideas and Ideas into valuable Actions.

“Life is all about finding possible solution to an unsolvable puzzle”
“Life-wow. Simply blows you away, don’t it?
“Life-in the journey of life don’t be a passenger, take your own drive- live life”
“Life is not about finding yourself, it’s about creating yourself”
“Life-The race is not over coz I haven’t won yet”
“Life isn't measured in minutes, but in moments”
“Life-take the life as it comes” etcetera, etcetera. Again it’s all individual perception.

Life is not about agony, it’s about how you learn to crack a smile no matter when tears don’t stop plunging on your soul or your heart boat start sinking - that is all..! Life is yours.
It’s my perception.

PG- thought not, that one building made of bricks, marbles, pillars, wooden doors can signify so much to me and actually I fell in love with it. Especially my room with plywood partition, big time theatre sound effects (that too multiple languages keeps changing in seconds of time) coz TV hall is behind my room. Everyone used to call me box office.

Infrastructure of my room – room size(10*10), Cot, Cupboard, one rack full of books, One Desktop-which sings all the time as long as I am in the room as per my mood swings, cute baby poster, Cute puppy says "smile a lot it costs nothing", Few kitchen utensils, smiley ball lie on my bed from past 3 yrs- almost like Wilson in the movie Cast away and last but not the least my little baby monkey darling(doll) says "I am ur best friend"-me too tied a Friendship Band but keeps staring at me coz I made it hang on to the rod with the help of thread :) Hope its not cursing me....and enough junk. It’s been awarded as best room in the PG ;)

I got really good exposure to different people, different culture, variety of food, many languages and sometimes namoona people – with their strange behavior, I got hurt many a times but I have learnt from it :) Each speaks a different language and me in multilingual communities and ended as a polyglot. I used to get along with everyone (may be I appreciate individual thoughts), well known in the PG with god’s grace, I really got very good friends- lifetime friends. Everyone used to visits my room and even I used to. Even in everyone’s absence you can ask the building, every brick of it replies yes vidya is here ;)

My terrace-oh my god, my ever best friend. I used to spend hrs & hrs of time sitting alone, it could be early in morning, mid afternoon, elegant evening or peaceful nights, sometimes till 0300 hrs no clue was that late night or early morning watching endless sky, countless stars, cold breeze, all forms of moon (full, half, quarter or just an arc), vehicles passing by, Rain-sung with rain, little dance in the rain, played with rain almost everyday during rainy season, sometimes I cried in the rain shower. Spoke with my own thoughts detaching me from loneliness and shared all inconsequence’s of earlier life etcetera etcetera.

Memorable moments: Moonlit dinner, playing badminton @ 2300 hrs sometimes with candle light if street light is off trust me later I failed to see the shuttlecock during daytime, Maggi and chai @ 0130 hrs ;), sometimes talking till late nights- once till 0330 hrs no clue what was that crap!. Celebrated all festival’s Christmas Day, Varamahalaxmi pooja, Dasera, Diwali, Ugadi, Friendship day, New year, Ganesh Chathurthi, Holi- we had enough time to get crazy and whacky and moved in colonies as some roadside Romeo’s coz a friend stayed in other PG at 100 yards distance, uncles-aunts gave one dirty stare coz its purely residential area and the list goes on & on, times I had great fun never ends…

I believe everything on this earth got pros and cons and even my PG- scarcity of water (only bore well water! no corporation water supply) and warden as well. Who ever comes for warden post used to get absconded in a day, in a week or to the max in a month coz management never used to pay salary on time. Sometimes -shortage of food, fight for gas stove, TV-to watch fav program, no earthing in the building coz of that electric bulb, electric iron box and most imp my system suffered a lot. Mother board, Hard drive and RAM used to crash like non bursting Diwali crackers. I used to plead my comp to work properly saying you are my Chinna-Runna what not!!! Most important PG is not legally registered one :)

I landed at this most special place in my life on 6th Dec 2005. Alike to My Sweet Home I landed up with my luggage in this PG without having any idea, even how it looks & where exactly it’s located, I only knew it’s in koramangala. I so desperately hunted a place in koramangala coz I was supposed to join Sandeepani on 7th Dec 2005 chasing for my dream career.

As a matter of fact I had made my mind that I will never walkout from this place until unless I have to make most imp decisions in my life i.e., Career and Marriage. But what to do

“Aadmi kuch sochtha hai, Aur Bhagvan kuch kartha hai..!”

Our management has decided to shut the business coz it’s running in great loss with so many vacancies... someone please adopt it… :(

But I really thank everyone with whom I shared Best years of my life in this amazing place. Best part is every single one of us has come forward to help each other at times of trouble or sick as in ill. Few lives which inspired me to move on what’s so ever happens. I honestly lived every moment of my life – Pain and Pleasure equally… I proudly say you taught me how to smile thro ups and downs in life and you always hold a special place in my heart, most intimate moments in my memoirs.

How I wish one fine day I should own this house! So that no one will kick me out of this magical place in the name of business or whatever. I was having trouble sleeping from past few days. I know I got more and more attached emotionally as each day passed. It’s just really hard for me emotionally, coz up until this point....!

I want my Mom… I melt naturally in her embrace, the emotions and affection that are translated into a non-verbal action :(

No man it’s not happening, I need to be flexible and sigh! The game is over.

The blog is specially dedicated to you, you truly deserve it :) I miss you terribly with all my heart…

# 447/B,
12th main, 1st A cross,
Opp BSNL telephone X-change, 4th block,
Koramangala,
Bangalore-560034


Best years of my life – (06/12/2005 - 31/03/2009)

Bye friend’s... The journey is our own and no other person’s journey is same as ours :) Good luck to each of you for the rest of the journey. Hope Someday, our roads may cross again – on the another shore…

With Luv
Vidya

KGBS and KSRTC: Dreadful words

KGBS- Kempe Gowda Bus Stop
KSRTC- Karnataka state road Transport Corporation

The two acronyms which let me to rethink whether to or not to travel..????

I am not sure do I need to entitle it as an awful experience or a memorable one coz I can’t erase it from time capsule of my mind. :)

Episode-1: To take part in most special day of my dearest pal’s life.

Prathima – a close friend of mine. We entitled her as Hospet and Military. The reason being she did her first year of engineering in Hospet and other coz she was the only one among five of us, who was well-organized in completing assignments and preparing for exams it could be Practical’s-Finals-at last even internals. She used to prepare from day one and we day b4 exams.

She was the first one to get self trapped in big hole so called “Saath Janmonka Bandan”. If I have to say in simple words, she was getting married. :) ??? !!!

I booked bus tickets to and fro Bangalore/Bellary on 11th of Dec 2006. I took BMTC bus from koramangala to KGBS and reached by 2130 hrs. The station was too crowd and did not even find a proper place to stand. I was waiting for my bus which was supposed to depart at 2330 hrs at platform 3. Soon I sensed a guy was staring at me to my right at around seven foot distance. I did not care much thought even his destination would be the same. For a moment I was relaxed coz he seemed to be 40+.

The first sentence he uttered was
Where you have to go?
Me: Bellary
Uncle: Are you studying?
Me: Nope. I am seeking for a job
Uncle: Are you a graduate?
Me: Yep. B.E
Things did not get over my nerves till he asked me the next one.
Uncle: What’s your name? Are you travelling alone?
Me: I gave one evil stare and said it’s none of your business
Uncle: somebody is following you?

I was like what??? He singed with his eyes towards a guy who was standing opposite to me. I turned my neck to my left to check is there anyone left out??? To my bad luck one was staring at me from other end as well. I learnt that I was covered by a triangle (didn’t bother was that an Equilateral, Isosceles or Scalene) outlined by three monsters.

I was frozen for a moment. My heart was pumping so fast with terror, and then suddenly I went blank. I had no thoughts. I just started to walk in KGBS from platform No.1 to platform No.23. I wonder was that a night walk..??? I decided to stop by at each shop and started shopping Chocolates, Biscuits, Magazines, Bisleri. Guys I am not a shopping freak but I was left with no option to keep myself busy interacting with people.

I was wandering around aimlessly and completed two rounds of night walk in KGBS. I looked at my watch it said 2240 hrs. Oh my God…it was running dead slow. One thing I did not realize in crowd is that they got behind me. Somehow I sensed monsters getting much closer to me and then I thought it’s high time now I have to do something. I decided to stand in the centre of KGBS.I started to look for TC, by now my watch read 2315 hrs and bus has not arrived yet. :(

At last my eyes were caught by savior who wore orange jacket with note pad-pen in his hands and whistle in his mouth. Savior you got right! that was TC. To my bad luck even he turned to be a fourth monster to me. When I asked him when the bus will arrive which was supposed to depart at 2330 hrs?

Savior: Traffic jam, it will come. The one reason everyone gives in Bangalore.

The needles in my watch were hitting 2400 hrs. My fear level was getting high and by now I have enquired around 6 times. On other part these monsters were giving guest appearances now and then like Kajol in 3 Idiots.

I lost my temper and went to fourth monster he was no more a savior.
Me: sirrrrrrr…..
Fourth Monster: What?
Me: Bus?
Fourth Monster: I don’t know.
Me: What?
Fourth Monster: Why are you asking only me? Go and ask others as well.
Me: You are the TC here. Not every other Tom-Dickey-Harry. It’s your responsibility to know the things and help people here accordingly. If in case you have adequate info why don’t you make an announcement saying bus will be late for so and so reasons…? Do you have any idea about kind of issues public faces here while traveling alone? specially gals!!!
Fourth Monster: Will enquire and vanished from there.

I realized second monster was standing next to me. My heart started pounding pretty badly. For a moment I was on cloud nine coz I saw police man opposite to me.

Police- I don’t wish to give much explanation about him, in simple words the one whom we see in daily serials and regular films :( fifth monster.

Me: sir, those three are following me from 2 hours and troubling me a lot. He did not utter a bloody single word. That was the time I realized this is INDIA.

To my luck the second monster disappeared as well, may be that was coz of the power of Kaki uniform if not for cop. Then I found few co-passengers who were waiting for that Dakota Bus to arrive. Finally bus arrived at 0030 hrs and I took my seat and my first peaceful breath in 3 hours time.

Finally I left Bangalore at 0045 hrs…

In the whole scene I would have called any of my cousins or friends for help but it was such an odd time and I am not the soul who will seek help until unless I can’t handle it myself. :)

Episode-2: Most memorable Diwali in my life.

Diwali- A festival of light. I missed most of the festivals in past three years. Even this time I was quite uncertain. Finally I made my mind.

After office hours while heading home (PG- No less than to my sweet home) I decided to book my ticket. Thought will ask even Poori whether she is willing to???. She was facing dilemma of whether to or not to..??? She called me thrice in 3 mins time. Yeah! Tell me how hard it is for her to decide as though she is committing to a guy .Booking counter uncle was getting confused and said give proper confirmation. Finally she gave her confirmation thought so...

When I asked him to book two for Bellary on 24th Oct 2008. There were hardly any seats left out, coz we damsels decided on 23rd evening. I checked with Volvo, Rajahamsa, Iravath, and Corona everything was booked. Finally I asked for Dakota bus (ordinary one) coz we so desperately wanted to go home. Poori called me again to check whether I got tickets or not. When I said nothing is left I am trying with ordinary one, she got into dilemma again. Finally she made her mind wasting two more calls.

Somehow I got tickets booked for Dakota bus. Two seated one! on safer side that too in Dakota no chance at all. Bus was supposed to depart at 2330 hrs. Most of the time my ideal time coz I need to catch another bus to village and 2330 hrs bus will help me to catch up with that one.

On 24th evening getting ready to leave and it was raining very heavily and even light went off. Don’t worry I can mange coz it’s usual to me. Finally we three got into auto. Another damsel who joined us was Soumya. Rickshaw wala was Naseeb wala (Fortuned One) coz he charged us 175 bucks from koramangala to majestic. While reaching NGV fuel got over and we exchanged one evil stare at one another indicating who is responsible? Means whose is the great iron leg :). Auto wala said ma’ams give me 10 mins time I will get some fuel. I said “Bhayya nadu beediyalli maleyalli Deepawali maadisa bedi”- don’t let us celebrate Diwali in the midst of the rainy road. We were requesting him not to ditch us.

We halted near Blue spice restaurant. Auto bhayya was real hero for the night, he kept his words and returned to us. He made quite good arrangements closing the open ends of auto with plastic sheet so that water won’t flood into auto. For a moment we felt quite heroines. As there wasn’t any traffic on that day auto was going in Ferrari 360, Ferrari 430 speed. In 10 mins we hit the Raja Ram Mohan Roy road and while taking the diagonal cut he did not notice auto behind. Auto was going smoothly until another auto followed us and was yelling at driver, that was the time we realized we hit someone. We could not help coz driver was worried if he was caught and took the auto into gallis. When we asked him to go slowly no need to hurry he said I thought we have not booked our tickets yet. There after auto running in its normal speed. We reached majestic by 2130 hrs. Soumya got her bus at 2230 hrs and her brother was accompanying her. After a while we departed. Me and Poori looking forward for Dakota bus to arrive.

My watch said 2330 hrs and Dakota has not arrived yet. To our bad luck KSRTC has arranged another 100 luxury buses and seats were available. We were cursing ourselves for booking Dakota.

We damsels wandering in KGBS not to miss incase if it’s not parked in its usual place. Needles in my watch were hitting 2355 hrs still Dakota….

We enquired in control room as well whether bus has arrived or departed coz anything can happen in KGBS.

Finally Dakota arrived at 0045 hrs 1 hour 15 mins late. We got into bus and our seat numbers were jumbled :( . Somehow we requested others to adjust and we moved to three seated one along with one married woman. To our shock she was Archana! Poori’s friend’s sister and my first semester C lecturer. I thought of talking to her as she was bit concerned towards me coz I was the only gal in the class. Only gal? I chose Mechanical as my specialization in B.E. I think she failed to recognize me and I did not introduce myself.

Bus left KGBS at 0001 hrs and Poori fell fast asleep, she was sleepless for past three nights as she had release at office. I couldn’t get sleep, have to check am I diseased. I can’t take a nap too whether I travel by train or Volvo or Rajahamsa or Dakota. I took window seat one of my favorite, watching dark side of the night. We were hitting Tumkur road I felt bus losing its control and back tire got punctured by then it was 0245 hrs. Most of us got out of bus to see what happened. Peepi mama (conductor) was giving an opportunity for all of us if we were in real urgent he will help us to get into another bus. Few of my co-passengers departed me. I thought even we can get into another one and tried to woke her up but she was in sound sleep. I let her to sleep. I didn’t have slightest idea how long its gonna take. My estimated time was 15 to 20 mins, Man it took 1 hour 45 mins time. We were slogging in midst of the Tumkur main road at signal. Finally bus got to its good condition and our driver mama on his seat at 0430 hrs. Bus was going in good speed as compared to its Dakota speed.

It’s been years I saw early sun rise and I was amazed by the beauty of nature cold wind, golden rays, green fields, birds flying, clouds passing. At least Poori woke up when golden rays beamed on her face, our lecturer was fast asleep even at 0745 hrs. Driver mama gave tea/coffee break at one Dhaba that was again one Dakota Dhaba at Hulakundi.

Real fun was yet to start, every one got out of bus had small walk with coffee/tea mugs as per their interests. We got out of the bus after 15 mins, we felt guilty to disturb our guru who was in sound sleep. Finally we interrupted her and got out of bus. I found myself just grabbing and squeezing my arms and stretching legs coz they really pushed me to the window! Poori had occupied half of my seat and other Poori’s full seat.

When bus was about to leave we decided to have coffee (late is always better than never right???). We got inside Dhaba and to our bad luck coffee got over. Only chai was available. We said its okay bhayya give chai itself but he was so concerned that he wanted to prepare coffee and serve to us. Actually in the entire bus we are the only damsels and bhayya had some soft corner. He boiled milk and was searching for coffee powder BRU one. Normally they use ordinary coffee powder for their customers. He was failing to locate where he kept the powder. On other end Peepi mama was blowing whistle and driver mama was yelling. Bhayya was asking his wife and daughter to search for powder. Little gal was worshiping the front door of Dhaba. As she completed her prayer she ran and got BRU coffee powder which was safely stored in cupboard. My god we felt so sweet of them. We left half of it coz it was pretty hot. Finally waved at bhayya his wife and daughter saying Tata and left Dhaba with our tongue burnt.

As we were getting inside the bus driver mama gave one evil stare. Few passengers were complaining go man it’s getting late. Peepi mama was pointing towards us and yelling its coz of these two damsels. Few guys started laughing and even we couldn’t control. We got into our seats. But coffee was damn good we couldn’t finish it. Happily ever after…

Reached Bellary safely at 0910 hrs which was supposed to be anywhere between 0515 to 0555 hrs….

Episode-3: Cheated death – and gained a second lease of life.

Kishore - A cousin of mine dropped me to the bus stop and left when bus departed at 2245 hrs from Bellary on Friday 6th Jan 2006.

Speeding bus lost its control and to our bad luck Lorry was coming in the opposite direction all this was going on when suddenly front tire of bus got punctured. Bus overturned and hit a pothole and then the median, while trying to avoid collusion with Lorry.

I realized something really went wrong and suddenly the fear of death all starts to hit me.I thought it does gonna be my last day-last night-last min-last moment of my life on the planet. I so desperately wanted to talk to mom, may be my last call but then did not dare to…coz she is much sensitive to take the reality of losing someone she loves the most in the world.The incident took place in city outskirts approx 10 kilometers from Bellary at around 2315 hrs.

When the bus hit the median, its front glasses got crushed into thousand million pieces and were propelled in the entire bus till the other end. Few glass pieces flew on me, luckily not into my eyes coz usually I don’t get sleep while travelling and most of the time I keep my eyes wide open at least I visualize things I see else floods of thoughts pop into my mind. A medium sized suitcase fell down over my head from the luggage rack. It hit so badly that I could hardly open my eyes and a guy sitting next to me got into terrible fear. He gently patted on my shoulder and asked shock looking down toward me “Are you fine?” That was the time I opened my eyes. I nodded barely… I managed to say yes, coz I was in terrible shock, I could hardly speak. All lights in the bus went off.

I thought my skull got fractured.
I asked myself “am I going to get back to the normal lifestyle?”

Driver got critically injured and while in his attempt to take control over the bus his head repeatedly hit the iron grill which is positioned behind driver’s seat. Blood was flooding from his brain and it’s daunting and dangerous and I was praying for his safety. Few helped to tie a cloth to driver’s head and immediately moved him to other bus and took him to the hospital. Luckily none injured as badly as driver got hurt.

Conductor asked everyone to get out of the bus and everyone rose quickly and immediately got out of it with their entire luggage. Luggage got jumbled coz all in horrifying shock and even luggage got misplaced during crash. I was the only left in the bus trying to locate my sandals. I left them down coz there wasn’t adequate leg space in the bus. There is no light in the bus as well. My Nokia 1100 mobile was my life of light.The only mobile which has flashlight facility. All the way I was cursing it coz it doesn’t have FM, Mp3 player, camera. But on that day I was quite content with my phone :). I turned on the flashlight and searching for my sandals. One I found near last but one seat and the other near front door seat. God now I was searching for my bag! Someone took mine by mistake. I just got out of the bus with one orphan bag left in the bus and enquired with couple of my co-passengers. Finally I found mine.
I didn’t know where exactly I was? In the midst of the road - dark night, deep forest, strange people? Oh my god…!

Time in watch showed 2335 hrs. The past 20 mins of my life ah, unforgettable.

Then conductor helped all of us to get into KSRTC buses which were passing by. I got into Dakota (ordinary one).

Finally reached Bangalore by 0705 hrs and koramangala by 0745 hrs. I didn’t have much time to rethink about the incident happened I was quite busy with my studies at Sandeepani. I was pursuing my PG-Diploma in VLSI Design. And course on Digital Systems Design with FPGAs under Proficience Programme at IISC,Bangalore. I had no breathing space just got freshen and rushed to IISC.

I don’t know was that a tragedy or a destiny.

I have learnt that travel accidents are fairly common in this part of the world. I have still got a long way to go :)

Episode-4: To get my official citizenship.

Voter ID: Proof of your identification. The one which proves you belong to particular nationality- you’re the citizen of country and you have right to chose right person to lead the nation. Sad part is we barely come forward and take up the responsibility to support the Right Mr/Ms/Mrs. We are citizens but not voters.

I didn’t have my voter ID till May 2nd 2008. It doesn’t mean I wasn’t 18 till that :). Over the years whenever these election commissions used to give an opportunity for citizens to get their citizenship I used to be busy with my exams which I can’t afford to miss and go to village to get my voter ID card done.

On May 1st dad called me saying Election Commission of India is giving an opportunity, you can get your voter ID. I thought to go and get it done. I got my tickets booked for the night 2330 hrs by Rajahamsa.

I reached majestic by 0945 hrs and looking forward for my bus to arrive. KGBS was jam-packed with people rushing to catch their buses with loads and loads of luggage both non-living and living (kids). I purchased a magazine just to kill the time. I didn’t realize when my watch hit 2310 hrs. To my shock bus arrived on time. I got into bus and just relaxed once I put my bag into luggage rack. It was Thursday, luckily not a weekend else we can’t imagine the kind of crowd and chaos. The seat next to me was empty till 2330 hrs thought I can peacefully enjoy two seats. But all of a sudden a Mr. Romeo appeared as if from nowhere. I really don’t bother to introduce myself with co-passengers coz of past experiences. I was gazing at the window watching endless road. Bus was going smoothly no rash driving, no jerks and no sudden braking!! Till Mr. Romeo uttered his first line.

Mr. Romeo: your destination?
Me: Bellary.
Mr. Romeo: Are you studying?
Me: Nope! I am a graduate and working on a project with my professor.
Mr. Romeo: what have you done?
Me: B.E.
Mr. Romeo: Which branch?
Me: Electronics and Communications.
Mr. Romeo: where do u stay in Bellary?
Me: Gandhi nagar.
Mr. Romeo: I have a toy gift centre in Gandhi nagar near ASM Women's College.
Me: okay... (Me lost in thoughts-Teddy bear :))
Mr. Romeo: are you on vacation?
Me: girr… I was losing my temper. I am done with my studies and project is to upgrade my knowledge.

I think he sensed my irritation and kept quite for sometime. After a while

Mr. Romeo: what’s your name?
Me: I honestly tried to avoid him. Did not respond and just acted like I was in deep sleep.

Driver mama gave chai/coffee break at Dhaba at around 0245 hrs. I was just looking around again this kirik fellow started,

Mr. Romeo: you still haven’t said your name?
Me: is it that necessary for you to know?
Mr. Romeo: sorry sorry… and I have no clue how far he felt sorry.
Me: I gave one evil stare. Continued with my sleeping drama till I reached Bellary.

I wasn’t particularly bothered about something; it feels hopelessly irritating when somebody tries to test your Patience... :(