Sane Or Psych Ward?

Finally done with the theory exams of 3rd year! What with the flies, mosquitoes, discharging ears and squint-inducing ophthalm topics, the past few weeks have been crazily hectic coupled with a befuddled brain. I hope to God it goes well because I don’t remember ever attending a big exam without the bare minimum of shut eye!

Now that we’re done with one part of the examinations, the much more fearsome and irksome practical awaits us and before we know it, we’re going to be in the formidable Final Year. It’s scary, now I come to think of it, but there’s also excitement buried and waiting to be excavated. My goals are fairly simple this year (oh wait, I’ll make another post about that some other time) and I’ve got to keep it going!

 Rumi — 'Somewhere beyond right and wrong, there is a garden. I will meet you there.'

Now that’s easier said than done. Is it convenient to turn a blind eye to black and white and view everything in shades of grey? Or do we perhaps complicate life by assuming that the hardest route bears the sweetest fruit? (If I’m quoting from a Hindi movie, clearly I’m in need of some inspiration   -__-)

To be honest, I thought I had a lot to blog about, but I don’t quite know how to phrase the myriad thoughts within me. We meet innumerable people in this journey, some remain for a lifetime, the others bid adieu at different junctures. Ephemeral or eternal, everyone you meet is a chapter to add something new in your book.

Something to be learnt, sometimes a lesson, sometimes a mere frivolity; but something nonetheless. When you look back, no chapter matters more than the other but all that matters is how good is the book of your life.

When I thought about it, I realized this was actually true in my case. Back in school when I was hooked on to Samaneh’s and later to Aditi’s blog, I didn’t realize the impact that they’d have on me. To me, they symbolized a whole new world. Their thoughts, likes, dislikes and views on everything from music (Regina Spektor) to caffeine addiction became points of interest to me. I’m not saying I imbibed from them, but I just got to know about so many many more things. Perhaps I wouldn’t have spent so many hours every night reading up all the MIT student blogs, perhaps I wouldn’t ping people randomly asking my lame doubts, perhaps I wouldn’t have spent all that time building castles, but perhaps I would never ever know that such wonderful minds exist, such ground-breaking research takes place in another continent, and there’s so much more to life than the little bubble that we confine ourselves to.

I’ve got a zillion new movies (and a million of them are ‘Must Watch’) so it’s time to unleash the movie connoisseur within. Also I got a few new books from Sapna recently:

• Short stories by Louisa May Alcott
• Short stories by Tagore (2 different series)
• PG Wodehouse 
• MCQ book for supremeselfcreepification

On a positive note, I’m glad to bring to the notice of the readers:

• After a lot of work and reworking efforts thanks to Shamir, the people at Kommune liked my work and they’d want to pursue this at a larger scale.
• The Quora Blog, Poignant Painter is dedicated to all junior artists and they’re now working on their most ambitious project yet: A blog to book venture which might feature a poem or two. :)

Landed in Bangalore after a touch and go experience. Did a preliminary round of shopping and then settled. Met Sanjana after nearly 6 months and we had a wonderful time discussing and catching up on all the loopholes. Though it was probably our shortest meetup, there's nothing like quality time spent with Sanj. :)

Coming to the songs I’m currently hooked on to:

• Blank Space and Mental Manadhil (ě Vox)
• Lehrein (again! -_-) 
• Can’t help falling in love (Listen to the Hailey Reinhart version)
• Aahatein (EMET version)
• Bang Bang by Nancy Sinatra
• Kho Gaaye Hum Kahaan (I even tried singing it but it sounded like a nursery rhyme in my dull monotone.)
• The most popular song of Chris Isaak (I said listen only -_-)

Until then,
Toodles, dear imaginary readers. (:

Just Go To Hell Dil

Little one, stay away from the flames 

Said the older, wiser soul. 

The warmth that you seek shall only burn

He warned the curious child.
The blazing glow that she seeked, 
Left her singed and scorched in a pile of ash.
Perhaps there is a pleasure in this pain
She wondered, as the fire consumed her.  

It was only after the sting of burning embers
Scalded her untouched soul, 

Did she seek solace in a place within. 

Academics is progressing at snail's pace with lots more to do on the agenda.

Happened to watch Dear Zindagi yesterday. I didn't think I'd do it either. 

Interesting.
Tats.

Honestly.

The other day BP and I had been to the city for some purchases and the usual round of hogging. As we indulged ourselves with some golgappas near Laxmi Galaxy, we saw identical twin girls, about 5 years old, emerge out of the building. One of them was sobbing incessantly while the other remained fairly unruffled. The pitch grew higher and the wails grew longer as the child wept with no restraint.

Watching this little girl cry with so much gay abandon filled me with a sense of happiness albeit with a pinch of salt. Childhood was the time when one could cry their lungs out without a care in the world. A broken toy, a fight with the new kid on the street, Amma’s sharp words or Appa’s anger; all of these and more could elicit a shower of tears. But as we grow older, we are taught to remain placid and composed even in times of crisis. With age, we learn the art of concealing sorrow and converting it into bitterness that manifests as wry humour or a cynical attitude.

Here was a girl crying over a toy or a new dress. Nobody shushed her, nobody thought her to be ‘weak’. She would eventually stop crying, sniff a little, wipe her red nose and forget about it. Soon, she will smile with all the happiness in the world because she has nothing gnawing at her from within. What have we done to ourselves in the name of ‘growing up’? We bottle the hurt and bury the regret until it finally chokes us with its weight and we are left gasping for breath from everything we have been holding on to.

Break away from this bondage. The next time you are upset, take a moment for yourself. Don’t stifle yourself and drown in the pool of despair you create for yourself. Free yourself from the shackles you place around yourself; learn to let go of everything that you’ve been holding on to. It’s okay to shed tears. You don’t have to mask your emotions for the benefit of the world. You deserve to be honest to yourself.

Experimental Evidence.

So this post is going be vague but I’d still like to go on anyway.

Mysore for the weekend and we (BP and I) stayed at Abhi’s place after sudden plans. We had a great time around Mysore. Highlights include ADHM, walking along a birdy Lake, climbing Chamundi Hills and the spine-chilling Well of Death!

The Well Of Death is basically a death defying stunt where bikes and cars move perpendicular to the ground in a circular well aided by centripetal force.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wall_of_death

I’m also super obsessed with the movie ADHM that’s managed to generate a lot of interest. I’ve watched the movie twice and I think I might go in for a third viewing. I’ve also been interested in understanding how people perceived this movie which explains why I’ve been reading a zillion reviews including one from the Pakistani News baron Dawn about how Fawad Khan was unfairly given lesser screen time compared to Ranbir to another that calls Karan Johar a fraud for romanticizing self-harm and abuse. Yes, I’ve been reading a lot of opinions and none of them seem wrong, there’s some truth in all of them, just as there is some truth in the movie, as far-fetched as it ends up.

I’m also super thrilled about this weekend even though it’s going to be yet another ‘flying visit’ but wedding bells in the family finally! :)

I've begun reading Manga and I realized how it seems like another universe altogether! Somehow, I never got around to reading Manga or watching Anime (even though Nirupama was a big fan and I had heard about it..) so I decided to undo that mistake and get a brief intro into this new realm and it look to be an interesting medium of storytelling. :) 

I’d also take this opportunity to make a mention to the sanest statement made by the fairly insane AyKay when I was glorifying my (un)saintly deeds. A simple “Do you need a medal?” made look at the lighter side. Speaking of (ir)rational experiments, I am proving to be of better scientific temperament *cough* than I anticipated. :’) 

Toodles,

Surgery Tomorrow, FYI *shrieks*

Thinking Caps On!

When you really have truckloads of work to do but your brain is screaming with thoughts waiting to be unleashed on unsuspecting readers!

A fortnight ago, after much ado over the lackluster network in the outskirts of Shimoga, Pinki and I got talking; not just the usual rants about life, learning and love. Not even about all the QTs around her in Sonepat and the lack of em’ around me but something that we both probably knew was coming.

What began as a harmless debate over the freedom given in her hostel (for visitors; male and female) quickly spiraled into a heated argument over the concept of ‘free will’. The premise is that I have no right to question anybody for any of their actions; right or wrong.

To be honest; it wasn’t easy for me and it probably will take me some time to wrap my head around the concept. It might surprise many that it took my so long to come to this conclusion; but hey, better late than never! However, I did realize one thing; one very important thing: I cannot impose my “principles” or “moralistic views” upon anyone. I can have them, follow them or forget about them; but it isn’t right to expect the same from anyone, no matter how much or how little they mean to you. Every individual has their own take on what they intend to do with their life; to me, my take might seem appropriate but it is wrong as hell to expect others to fall in line with my take. I can't be the "moral police" to anyone. Here again, I had some conflicting thoughts given my career stream or maybe my nature (I still can't decide) . I can't "not care". I still probably will. Just not aloud..

The way one chooses to lead their life is an informed choice every individual has; one can’t question that or make their choices for them. It’s almost like the whole Engg/Med Vs any other profession debacle that many young adults have to face at some point. However, things get murkier when it comes to lifestyle choices. We have a lot of preconceived notions about a lot of things; sometimes owing to our ignorance and sometimes because of inherent bias that we have come to accept.

Here’s what I have to say: QUESTION

Question yourself. Question yourself for your beliefs. Why do you believe so staunchly about it? Do you blindly follow it like some of the rituals that you practice without understanding the meaning? Do you believe in it yourself or is it the herd mentality that you are aping? Or is it parental pressure that is forcing you to accept it?

Question yourself until you reach the end of the road and you have an answer; until you are able to justify to yourself; yes, this is why I am doing this. If you don’t have that answer, maybe it’s time for some reconsideration?

It may be with respect to the company you seek, your religious/spiritual beliefs, your take on alcohol, tobacco, drugs or sex. At the end of the day, if you’re satisfied with the answers that you give yourself for what you choose to do or not to do; then nothing else matters.

Personally, this helped me. I do think I could reach an acceptable answer for a few things, and for a few others, I realized that I hadn’t clinched it yet.  That makes for an another story! 

These are my two cents; I’d like to know your take on this for once :)

Loose Ends.

I haven't had this contentment in a long time. The outcome is irrelevant. I feel so glad to have done something with interest today after what seems like forever. I honestly wish the same motivation persists.

ENT End Posting Test tomorrow!! Let's hope I can blabber something logical tomorrow.

Recently watched a fine work of cinema, The Prestige. A star studded cast, the riveting storyline will keep you engrossed but what will throw you off balance is the macabre climax. :)

This is why I love the rain: 



It is unlikely that I will blog with the existing gusto in the coming days since the Lappy will be on a vacation for a while. So here's a parting piece (of nonsensical mumbo jumbo) that I will leave you with. :)

Question.

The timeless dilemma persists,
Generations have faced the same,
And yet the eternal enigma exists.
Perhaps it is Fate's twisted game.

The answer haunts tantalisingly close,
Yet there is solace in the arms of obscurity.
When imagination gives wings, reality shall dispose.
Perhaps this ambivalence is my only security.

This aching resemblance to the past,
Reminds me that my 'perfect' may never last.
But if I could only ask a 'why?'
Are you the ugly truth or a beautiful lie?

-JSR

Ciao :)

Rhapsodies In The Rain.

The mesmerising scent of the pure Earth,
The tangible freshness of the air,
The hesitant quiver of young foliage against the wind;
The overcast sky was poised to perform.

Tender drops glittered down in grace,
Even as the skies opened up with renewed fervour.
The nascent buds bloomed into a vibrant rhapsody,
Even as the seasoned trees embraced the ethereal showers.

The unwritten cue for celebration in some,
The song of monsoon is an eloquent hum.
Droplets condensed into a rapturous shower,
And Nature was ensnared in the arms of the heavenly power.

To some, this magic remains a stormy downpour,
Its chilling pleasure they may never explore,
The emblem of a raging tempest for the ordinary,
Is the stamp of an exotic dream, albeit momentary.

I was a bit skeptical about this one but it's actually got some veiled references. I'm trying to show how the rains can hold Nature under its spell. I want to potray that  people can experience the same monsoon weather and feel differently. To one, it is a celebration of their love. It seems that the rains are euphoric about their togetherness. To the other, the rain is but a reminder of a painful past. The same thing can mean different things to different people.

Brain Fry

Here I am blabbering much earlier than expected but what can I say, it seems like the best thing to do. :)

Sometimes you curse Fate and wonder why you end up in situations you’d happily forgo but before you head in that downward spiral, take a moment, take a deep breath and take it as a wonderful opportunity. :)

It is the easiest thing to judge people for who they are , their looks, their actions, their social standing (to this burgeoning list add this as well: their clothes, their footwear, their popularity and preferences on Facebook or Instagram and of course every useless bit of detail that we can devour on!). In fact, it is most convenient to do that in order to make yourself feel more important or make others feel that they are less important, but one often forgets that in the process they are merely selling their own souls. How does it matter what ABC does in their life? If we have descended enough to bother about it and pass opinions on it, it is indeed a sorry state of affairs of our own lives.

Am I propagating a pious and holier-than-thou attitude? No. All I’m saying is, rise above the pettiness. Atleast try. Rise above inane gossip. Judging others for their misfortune does not make you any richer. It’s not about how nice you are to the people who you need in your life, it’s about how you treat the people when they need you, it’s about how you treat the people you don’t see eye to eye with. Of course, that’s the hardest, isn’t it?

Am I saying that I have reached this point? Not at all. Known or unknown to us, we are all a part of this saga to variable extents. It would be a pity to make this trait our most prominent feature. Surely, one can do better than that? Surely, we're meant for much more than this? At least , that's what I'd like to believe.

So that’s enough of philosophy for now but my point is how I’m so glad that there is always light at the end of the tunnel, always a silver lining in the cloud and always the friend who tell you that you deserve better. :) Here’s to the friends far and farther (and maybe a little near :) ), to the ones who matter and to the ones who know your worth.

OhBiJee tomorrow. Tata :)

Moonlight Memoirs.

It was in the quiet melody of the night,
Guided by the tranquil beauty in white,
It was underneath the star spangled sky
That the wandering souls came alive.

She peeked through the veil of grey,
Offering only a sliver of lustrous white
In those fleeting moments she shone
With a radiance that brightened the darkest souls.

It was in the tempest of dark nights,
That the restless wanderer found a lamp,
That the wayward traveller found a path,
When she glowed with an ethereal beauty.

The dark night gave refuge to the haunted
They drifted away in her presence
But to the scheming minds prowling in the dark
But to those who crept stealthily under her light,
She led them to the stairways of death.

Attraversiamo.

I know this can wait but knowing how I am prone to procrastination, I might as well say what I have to say. I’m back after a short but eventful stay in namma Bengaluru and how I wish I could go back in time! How I wish I could rewind the clock back to a time when I could have done what it took to stay in Bengaluru (if not anywhere better!)

It’s ironic that coming back home fills me with inexplicable happiness as well as some sadness mingled with regret. Seeing my city evolve with each visit, experiencing the familiar sights and sounds of the neighbourhood and just watching the fast pace of this bustling metro that was once my home infuses fresh energy and hope into me.

Bengaluru is not just about the swanky malls, beer guzzling pubs or upscale restaurants that every other non-Bangalorean assumes it to be. It’s a lot more than that. It’s about generations of families that began life with humble beginnings, worked their way up to a better position and gave their descendants ‘The Good Life’ which most seem to take for granted. The quaint neighbourhoods have a charm of their own, the tree-lined parks are the only lung spaces left of a city choked by the vehicle population and traffic; suffice to say that there’s nothing like braving the Bengaluru traffic in the peak hour!

I may not live here anymore but I will definitely get back to this wonderful place (if not, better). Like I once confessed to Pingi, maybe I wasn’t worthy of being a part of this place, but doesn’t mean I don’t belong here! To put it in a better way, “You can take me out of Bangalore, but you can’t take the Bangalorean out of me!”

Vijaya Vittala Temple near Nelamangala.

Of course, life will continue to be volatile but maybe that’s part of the deal. I’ll just have to accept that. Being it home is like a reality check about who I am, where I come from and what I want to be.

I recently picked up “Éat. Pray. Love” on Avenue Road and I like certain parts of it. EG has painted a beautiful picture about the Italian language that one even wants to know if it is indeed as beautiful as it is depicted to be.

Several phrases got my attention but the one that made the final cut is Ättraversiamo meaning “Let’s cross over”. It’s a nice ring to it. :)
Ciao!

Oh Bee Ji, Sir Jerry and more

This was supposed to be this exuberant post about the many things going on right now in life but it’s going to be all the headlines sans that dose of saccharine sweetness!

I realize that I’ve not spoken much about how college is going on in a long time.

So we had Surgery Postings and it wasn’t too bad. Nagraj Sir did a fairly good job with every class that he engaged us in. We took cases (most of us) and presented them. The EPT wasn’t all that great though, I basically had to speak over Arun Kumar Sir to let him know that I did know a thing or two and he didn’t have to answer his own damn question all the time! We saw a lot of ulcers (in the leg and foot), sebaceous cysts, varicose veins, hernias (inguinal as well as umbilical), a few cases of lumps in the breast and one of thyrotoxicosis. On the whole, it gave us about 15 cases in one month and ample time for me to watch Suits when the OPD would be empty. We didn’t get to go to the OT this term since the seniors get preference but there weren’t too many cases in the first place, truth be told.

It’s been about 2 weeks since OBG started and it’s a lot more organized than the other department which is a double edged sword. The good thing is that there is no dearth of cases here so all you need to do is to be on the lookout for the case you need. I had to present a case of Fibroids along with an absconding adjacent batch mate and it was not bad, I guess.

The Ophthalmology Department expects us to present seminars on designated topics every week and my last one was a COMPLETE disaster so I had to make amends this time. The topic was Colour Blindness and so there was ample scope for pictures and the occasional joke. As usual, I was nervous prior to the seminar and from what I was told, I hurried through the slides but it was definitely a lot better than the previous one. :)

And yes, last week I ended up attending NISACON 2016 in JNMC Belgaum. I’m not really sure how the whole thing transpired but one thing led to another and Akhila and I did this race against time to reach Belgaum. It was a budget mission (that blew completely out of proportion) and the KSRTC bus strike at that time just made things all the more difficult for us (not the mention the yearly Purle Jaathre that COMPLETELY blocks the road connecting our college to the rest of Shimoga). So we boarded a bus to Harihar, another to Davangere to reach the Railway Station at 6:40 for the Sampark Kranthi Express scheduled to arrive at DVG at 6:40PM precisely. Thankfully Indian Railways doesn’t always adhere to the aforementioned timings so we had enough time to grab some dinner parcels and catch our breath before setting off towards Belgaum (unsure of our accommodation). 

As Akhila managed to convince normalcy on the homefront, we realized that we might have to travel by ourselves to the campus in the middle of the night and this was unsettling. I was quite lucky that MaPa agreed on such short notice and had even arranged stand-by accomodation with Chikkoo (my first roommate, FYI) But thankfully, I realized it was just me being HD because the JNMC peeps were there at the station to pick us up and we did get accommodation after reaching campus around 1.30AM (Whaaaaaat?!) The next two days passed in a blur; workshops on Surgical Skills (which was pretty cool considering how we actually tried out the suture techniques on artificial material) and ECG (which was good but just not enough time to actually know it that well), campus tours with Adi (surprise surprise!), some interesting lectures on Robotic Surgery (it’s the future of surgery, they say) and even a DJ night which wasn’t half bad. (or maybe I’m finally getting a hang of them :’) )

On the third day, the seven of travelled to Gokak by bus, boarded another to Gokak Falls and took a God-forsaken unbearably jam-packed bus to Godachina Malki falls which had a good view but given that it was a Sunday; it was quite populated. The return journey took hellishly long and the seating arrangement is something I’d like to forget at the earliest! *that moment when all of us start yelling at the conductor when he actually dared to ask us to budge a bit to seat yet another passenger in the overloaded bus*

Nevertheless, we managed to reach just in time for the bus back to Shimo and after a mild e-ticket scare; we hogged on parcelled KFC and called it a night. The next morning it was back to business in OBG and thus, it was the end of a short but memorable trip. It was unexpected and I came back with some unexpected memories :)

On the whole, the past month had some interesting events and its fair share of excitement and drama. It’s been a long time since I’ve set foot in Bangalore (for a sufficiently long time) and it looks like even this time it’s going to be a “flying visit” but one does not mess with the OBG Ladies so I can’t do much about it. -_-

Something about the travel to Belgaum made me realize how different life is in North Karnataka. It kind of explains why people from NK are the way they are. Of course, I might be generalizing but there’s a stark contrast with how things are back home in Namma Bengaluru where are aplenty and there is no dearth of options for a person unlike how it up north. Here a person might have to work against odds to reach their destination and that’s probably what makes them resilient in the face of hardships.

Books I’ve been reading include:

• Sensory Deception (All about sensory saturation and virtual reality set against the backdrop of global warming and animal extinction)
• It happens for a reason by Preethi Shenoy (about premarital pregnancy in the Indian setup and the aftermath based in Bangalore)
• Letters to Love (another run-of-the-mill story about two adults thrown together after a tragedy and how they move from staunch enemies to something else. -_-)
• Detour from normal (About how a person with mental illness copes with it and analyses what he is going through)
•  Flying blind (based on Amelia Earhart’s final expedition where she went missing and subsequent attempts to trace her)
• Into The Wild by John Krakauer (a thought provoking book about the life and times of a young man who sets out an a solo expedition in Alaska. Described by some as foolish and lauded by others for his bravery, his story will nevertheless leave you thinking for longer than you might be prepared for.)

Musicophilia:

• Stand In The Rain (Superchick, TB to the old times, Heard this recently on my old phone)
• Thinking Out Loud (Ed Sheeran. I watched Me Before You recently)

Ciao :)

Lost.

Days like these feel longer,
The pain underneath feels sharper
The nights are haunted with dread
Lies along the very path that I tread.

You watch the world come crashing down;
The world you carefully constructed
With castles and dreams so beautiful
That the bitter reality is yet to sink in.

Everything that you thought was your own
Was after all a borrowed loan
Everything that you thought to be true
Was after all an elaborate ruse.

A ship stranded at sea,
Where was it meant to be?
A bird bereft of its nest,
Lost and lonely in a futile quest.

//under the veneer of ideals,
Lies the dark bottomless pit of betrayal.
Sometimes what you find out can leave you hurt in ways you never imagined. It leaves you wishing for the lies to be true;
For the truth might just be too bitter.

Disgust

Yes, you guessed right. Stemming from within and clouding my judgement, my disgust has only been growing stronger.

It is said that one should believe in their own brand but what's the road ahead when you no longer recognize yourself in the rat race.

There is so much to do in the one life that we have but do we really live it to the maximum or just exist until the next day arrives? Recently, a student ended his life and the incident has sent shockwaves across the students with each one offering their own interpretation. It is easy for us to pass judgement about his action but it got me thinking. What is a life that is not well-lived? Is there any pride in merely existing and not making the most of what this life had to offer?

Incidents like this reflect the turmoil within and make you wonder nobody ever noticed anything amiss. Irrespective of the momentary 'gut' that many people see as bravery, it is still a choice that one makes and there could always have been other options.

This post unfortunately isn’t going to be a happy one as recent events have left me angry to say the least. When greed gets the better of a person, it eats away at the root of who they were leaving behind an unhappy excuse of who they were. How much is enough for a person to be content? The fact is, once greed has settled itself inside you and has started creeping its way through your heart, you will never seem to have enough. There will always be something that you crave but cannot have, something that you think you deserve but cannot afford. You do not claim what is not yours, you work your way to the life you deserve. You cannot expect a life you did not earn. You cannot demand what was never yours. And if you still expect just because you assume you are entitled or that you have been wronged, then it is all the more disgusting. I can only hope that people will see reason and behave with more maturity. It also reminds me that I am no longer in a position to expect anything of anybody. If I have any dream, then it is solely MY responsibility to turn it into a reality. If I have to make changes, then so be it.

I have begun to realize that certain relationships are toxic and need to be curtailed. I say “Toxic” because they are counterproductive and only induce more negativity than I can handle. I know I cannot sever ties but encouraging its growth will only cause more harm. Perhaps I function best in the comfort of being by myself. Yes, I enjoy a good banter, but I cherish my own company and would gladly thrive in it. Or maybe I just get tired of people faster than they’d like.

Oh yes,

• Meghana’s engaged. Yayy
• We (8 of us) had been to Chikmangalore
• We (Abhi and I) visited a random Jain temple
• I like Pokemon Go
• How does it feel to meet a friend after nearly 6 years? Let’s hope aii find out soon enuf. *yay?*
• Yep, that's right. My girl was in town before she set off to far away Sonipat and it's beginning to hit me only now that I'm really going to miss this bingo. :(

Songs this season:

• Cheap Thrills (Akkamma creds)
• Looking Too Closely (Suits)
• Hass Nache Le and Da Da Dasse (from Udta Punjab)
• Tu Isaq Mera (judge awayyyyy)

Laters!

Flowers From The Forgotten Past

The old man sat at the end of the lane,

Stringing flowers from sunrise to sundown.
He watched with some joy and some more pain;
His garlands and bouquets across the town.

They came at all times of the day,

In the hopes of winning their loved ones,

After all, flowers speak the language of the soul,

And he wished he had done the same, if only once.

It was only ever in the rain,

As he watched the flowers wilt unused, 

As he remembered the flower he refused,

That he felt in his heart that familiar pain.

//Looking Too Closely - Fink//

Melodies From Another World

They sat by the side of bustling lanes,
A wooden lute they wielded with ease,
The eager tourists walked past the lilting strains,
But the languid traveller was easy to please.
Blind to their audience, they crooned in a local dialect,
Of the universal feelings of loss and neglect.

The clink of coins rewarded them many a time,
For sharing their sorrow in verse and rhyme.
They bared their souls in an alien tongue,
But after all it was the language of love they sung.

The flaming glow of the setting sun lit up the winter sky,
But the two men sang on with a fiery passion,
Like a bird that had discovered it could fly;
Denied of sight, music had given them vision.

North East Part 2

We reached Gangtok around 8PM and our lodging was Maple Residency, a brand new hotel with good interiors. We got to meet the tour operator Mr Roshan who briefed us on what was in store for us next. The next morning we set off towards Nathu La with all our warm clothes bundled together  for further use. We received the permit on the way and began another journey through the mountains. This time, the gradual change in scenery was evident; from lush green mountains dotted with waterfalls, the landscape morphed into a dry and sparsely vegetative land with mounds of ice lying in heaps. The air was chilly and it continued to drizzle through the journey. We were not alone in our journey as scores of other vehicles were heading in the same direction. One of the locals accompanied us in our journey and she had a stall enroute to Tsong Mo Lake. Like most other people, she lived up in the mountains on most days with her sisters where they served tourists with refreshments and provided warm clothing and boots on rent and returned to their home in Gangtok once in a while. We had another Tea break here (might I add that I was sorely tempted to try some alcohol that would suit the cold climate but then, perhaps that is for another day..) and got some boots for the icy terrain that awaited us. The four of us downed Diamox (Acetazolamide) as the high altitude was bound to make us uncomfortable. We reached Tsong Mo Lake just as the mist was beginning to set in and had some customary Yak photos with Raju, the pink-horned Yak.

In your to visit Nathu La Pass, not only does every individual need permit but the vehicle in which you will be travelling also requires another permit. The vehicle in which we were supposed to travel arrived a good 2 hours late (when we had almost given up hope that it would turn up) and with no way or contacting them (no network in these areas!! Except for good old BSNL which is used by .000000001% of the population) we were a frozen, frustrated lot! When the vehicle finally did arrive along with some more people headed towards NLP, we were all bundled together and began yet another journey through winding lanes in progressively deteriorating weather. When we reached the entrance, the weather was anything but supportive of our quest, and the rain showed no signs of relenting. 

Nevertheless, Athhe, Mama and I began climbing upwards through the ice along with dozens of other tourists. There was no path demarcated and one could not see beyond a few feet ahead. We kept asking for directions until we saw a small café tucked inside the ice. We gulped steaming hot tea and some a few momos that scalded our tongue but the heat was a welcome change from the biting cold. The trenchcoat I was wearing was not waterproof; hence I was now soaked down to my feet. I have never experience such extreme climate in all my life and the high altitude was another factor. A father and daughter duo was returning and the father seemed rather shaken by the ordeal and advised against proceeding further as visibility was too poor to see across the border. With a sense of relief mingled with some regret we returned back to the base where we boarded our jeep and began our journey back. An army truck had lost control and was lodged in a ditch so we were delayed by an hour or so.

I must take a moment to describe our driver for the day, Sanjay. A Nepali by origin, he was plump chap and had the demeanour of a cheeky schoolboy, a sarcastic comeback for every dialogue and a witty sense of humour. Although we were downcast with the weather forecast, he entertained us through the journey and dearest Atthe, who I consider as a shining example of beauty with brains (*cough*) finally found an opponent who could retort with equal sarcasm.

We returned to Maple Residency, freshened up and warmed ourselves and took an uphill walk (it seemed like a 70° incline) towards MG Marg. The tiled road does not allow vehicles and flowery lampposts adorned the median path. The road had a European touch to it and one could not help but admire the smart and well dressed women, the handsome policemen and the absolutely adorable little ones. We shopped a little and I purchased a few trinkets. We took a taxi back to our hotel in time for dinner and headed to bed.

The next day we were denied the North Sikkim Permit due to bad weather and we decided to tour Gangtok. Our driver for the day was Deepak, a football player and he was notorious for asking us to alight a good 1km away from the tourist spot with the blatant lie “Nazdeek Hai”. As most of the places are located on a hill top, we trudged along the steep incline wondering how on earth this was “nearby”. Our first visit was to Rumtek monastery and it was fairly crowded with a lot of people seated in the courtyard, on the terrace and along the pavements. We were later informed that it was a holy day for Buddhists and there were special prayers in progress. We witnessed form of dance/ritual performed with elaborate costumes, a menacing headgear and gigantic white boots. We visited the monastery and then did some more shopping at a souvenir store. After this, our next destination was Namgyal Institute of Tibetology which had a a good collection of Tibetian manuscripts, artefacts and explanation of their various practices. One thing we had noticed at the monasteries (Rather, Atthe noticed and we later realized) was how there were always seven bowls/cups of water placed in front of the deity. It was here that we got an explanation for the same.

After this, we had a good lunch (Cheese Pizza) at Hotlinks and proceeded towards Netuk House. This was a homestay with a beautiful garden and a lot of flowers. It had a homely feel to it and just like the other places; we scammed their WiFi without much delay. :P Mild showers left us worried but we equipped ourselves with umbrellas and headed towards MG Marg. We spent the evening here and then returned back to Netuk House in time for dinner where we met another family from Pune. With hopes for the much awaited Permit, we retired for the night.

The next morning after a lot of anticipation, the prestigious Permit was granted to us and we set out towards Lachen with minimal luggage. Our driver Tenzing, an elderly man, seemed like a no nonsense guy and was working on a timeline. He seemed like a seasoned driver and himself hailed from North Sikkim but somehow we couldn’t establish a rapport with him as with the other drivers so far. Along the route, streams confluenced into a cascade and to the city dweller it was indeed a treat to the eyes as they dotted the scenery. We stopped at Mangam for lunch were we met another Kannada family (coincidentally, it was another Balu!). The drizzle picked up pace and soon it was torrential rain and the waterfalls were swollen. Rocks on the road could only mean that they had fallen from the shaky ground above and the overcast sky could only predict gloom. Nevertheless, our driver was optimistic and hoped to reach us to our destination at the earliest. We stopped at Naga falls where the water roared downhill, cutting through the rocks and flooding the cemented bridge. The road ahead seemed daunting and at times, it didn’t seem like a road but a mere excavation through the mountain that stood precariously. We halted at Chumthang for tea where several other travellers huddled together for some chai in the rain. It was here that our driver informed us that the road back to Gangtok was closed due to the collapse of a bridge but we didn’t realize the magnitude of his words until much later.

 We set out towards Lachen and the road was empty save for the villagers gleefully pointing out “Raastha band hai”. Solitary boulders dotted the road and we passed through rickety bridges even as the chocolate brown water gushed downhill with an alarming intensity. The lack of any other vehicles in either direction did not help matters and we were now beginning to question our decision. A lone army jeep was perched atop the hill and we approached the officer for guidance. He advised against proceeding further as the road had caved in due to landslides at 3-4 places. With a heavy heart we returned towards Chumthang and took a turn towards Lachung (the other place on our itinerary). We progressed about a kilometre only to see dozens of tourist vehicles returning back as the roads had caved in here as well. Fate had ordained that Chumthang was the halt for the night so our driver spoke to the owner of the Chai-Snacks place and we were allowed to stay at their place for the night. If you are wondering why we didn’t stay at a hotel, let me assure you that this sleepy little village had none! Chumthang is just another village at the intersection of Lachen, Lachung and Gangtok with nothing significant except for a beautiful Gurudwara.(which has a history of its own…).

We checked into Chumthang residency with mixed feelings; regret for not having made it but gratitude for having food and shelter for the night. Several other tourists were seen scrambling for a place and some were granted permission to sleep in the premises of the gurudwara. We had a room to ourselves, a few thick blankets, bedding and a candle. The twist of events had left us all in varying states of unrest and each of us reacted in different ways to the same situation. The lady of the house was hospitable and they prepared some Dal, rice and fried vegetables for dinner. Her husband, son, daughters, daughter in law and grandson (which we later realized was a granddaughter), three dogs and two cats all lived in that building and that night they opened their doors to 8 Gujarathis, a family of 3 from Delhi and the four of us. The little one entertained us with her antics and it is sheer sadness that I have no photo of her or the daughters. We later heard that not only had the bridge collapsed and washed way in entirety by the waterfall but another landslide had occurred some distance from the bridge and some unfortunate tourists were stranded between the two points with nowhere to go for the night. The night was long and cold and I had some terrifying dreams I would like to forget asap but the next morning was clear and sunny (a lot of touch wood happened at this observation because we could no longer dare to forecast the weather with certainty).

Our tour operator, Roshan was assured us that they would do their best to get us back to the mainland and we took a long walk along the streets of Chumthang town where we met scores of other tourists who had met with the same fate. At the army checkpost, one of the officers assured us that the army would construct a bridge and even urged us to go the Lachen for the day. We spoke to him for a while and slowly began to appreciate the magnitude of work done by the army which mostly goes unrecognized. After receiving a green signal from an army officer and news that Roshan had reached the site of the bridge collapse, we set out back to Gangtok. The army had constructed a makeshift bridge from tree trunks and it was secure enough to handle the tourists. A young lad transported our luggage across the river and through the slippery terrain even as army officers helped us at every juncture *wink*. Once again, we met the other Balu and his family and we exchanged stories of our ordeal. After waiting in the hot sun, the 8 of us (with our entire luggage) set off in a jam packed Bolero towards Gangtok. 

Echoes from the border.

The wind howled, its cries echoed across the mountains and the clouds overhead rumbled ominously. As Lieutenant Amit Singh swerved the truck over yet another curve, he glanced at the steep fall that awaited him if he faltered on this precarious route. So accustomed he was to the mundane routine, freezing temperature and rugged existence that he seldom allowed his mind to wander. Behind him were thirteen other army trucks, also carrying supplies to the next base camp.

Scores of tourists frequented these routes every summer. For them, it was a dream vacation to experience the biting cold, to endure high altitudes and travel through rugged terrain. He smiled to himself at the irony; his ideal vacation was to spend a week in the hustle and bustle of his hometown, Kanpur with his family.

His reverie was clouded by the looming mist and only the headlights of vehicles shone through the foggy veil. He switched off the engine and embarked from the truck. About 100 metres away, was yet another vehicle that had lost control on the road and was now stuck in a pit. Vehicles from both sides could not move both ways even as the driver struggled to get the wheel out of the trench.

As his colleagues also arrived to find out the cause for the commotion, the crowd became noisier, the honking grew louder and they anticipated a quick fix to the situation. Tourists were impatient and wanted to reach the highest point. Together, they moved the vehicle out of the pit and the road was once again cleared.

As they approached the camp, the supplies were unloaded and he then made his way to his deployment for the next month. By far, the most favoured among his colleagues, being posted at Nathu La Pass was something he looked forward to experience.

The rain did not seem to daunt the tourists as they braved the hail and snow and began the uphill ascent. At 14200 feet above sea level, one can have very few things running in their mind. The body has not adapted to the extreme climate so most of your energy and thoughts are focused on self-preservation. He watched as young men and women climbed eagerly in anticipation of the Indo-China border.

An elderly man hobbled through the snow, unsure of his next step. He extended a hand to the old man to help him proceed further but the old mans stopped short and gave him a quick salute and continued onwards. Such was the sincerity in his eyes that Lieutenant Amit Singh was startled.

As he made his way further up, a family of three was making its way to the pinnacle even as they were soaked completely by the rain and snow. The little girl’s teeth chattered and she shivered violently with every gust of wind. Her hair was tied into pigtails and drenched in the rain, but she continued to plough her way through the snow.

It was at that precise moment that Lieutenant Amit Singh understood why every soldier returned a happy man after their deployment at Nathu La Pass. Maybe it had something to do with how the mind plays tricks when you are subjected to extremes, but as he looked into the big brown eyes of an unknown girl saluting him, he saw in her, his very own Anjali. Although she was far away from him and anticipating his return, he knew how she often told her friends with pride, “My Papa is protecting our country!”.

The little girl shook hands with him and trudged along with renewed determination but Amit Singh stood rooted to the spot, dazed momentarily by swirling emotions within.

True, tourists might seem as an unnecessary responsibility at an International Border but it is during days like this that you realize how it is also a good thing.

The little girl walked away with the memory of an Indian soldier, but the Lieutenant was consumed by the familiar ache, the unquenchable longing for a home he barely frequented, for the family that was fast becoming accustomed to his absence and for his children who were growing up faster than he could keep pace with.

That night, as he lay in his bunker, he opened the letters from home and began reading the untidy scrawls by his Anjali progressing to legible sentences and now, a well-articulated letter. Tears welled inside him as her remembered her first footsteps; the only milestone that he had witnessed.

True, it was a hard life and many continued to question his decision but he believed in what he was doing and he was proud of his choice. He was a soldier of the Indian army and he knew that despite everything, his family was equally proud of his decision to serve the country.

North East Part 1

It’s been ages since I blogged and once again I am at a loss for words. There’s so much I need to fill up on that I don’t think I can even do it!

So the much awaited trip is finally over but I still seem to be in a hangover. There was pre-Trip excitement and now there is post trip euphoria. Will I ever reach steady state equilibrium?

I wish I could be that person who gives a beautiful travelogue chronicling the journey from Day 1 to Day 10 but sadly I simply cannot do it. Or else I’m going to do a really short version of that and then elaborate on some snapshots.

So we started off from Bangalore on 10^th of May around 7.30 towards Kempegowda Airport and had a quick breakfast on the way. The landscaping enroute to the airport has been spruced up to give any person landing in Bangalore a wonderful impression of the city. Broad lanes, flowering shrubs on the sideway and skyscrapers doting the foreground made it picture perfect. :)

Call me a kid but I still am and perhaps will always be excited by air travel. The whole atmosphere of the airport makes you feel you are out to do something big! *me and my silly thoughts*But to be honest, a lot more people travel by flight these days. Our Indigo flight was packed to the brim and it seemed like the AC compartment of BLR-Shimoga train except this was high up in the sky amidst the clouds! After a fairly uneventful journey and some blatant gazing at the airhostesses we landed at the Baghdoghra Defence Airport which is tiny compared to BLR airport. Our Driver for the first leg of the journey, Amrit had arrived and we bundled into the Innova and set off. After lunch at Bihari vegetarian restaurant we proceeded towards Darjeeling through mild showers and through tea gardens on flat land. In the initial leg of the journey, background music was provided by me and it made the journey all the more beautiful as we made our way through the hills. We had a quick Maggie stop and began the first of innumerable “Tea Breaks”. We reached Darjeeling by 8.30 and the drizzle had intensified into a steady shower as we checked into Little Tibet. It was a cute property (as we discovered in the morning) but we were exhausted by a day of travel so we had a quick dinner and hit the sack.

The next day was Darjeeling sight-seeing. We did not visit Tiger Hill (famed for its flaming red view of the Kanchenjunga) as the mist had not cleared after yesterday’s rains so it was unlikely that we would see much. We visited a few places like the Japanese Temple, Peace Pagoda and a tiny art gallery which is promoted as a tourist attraction. We visited the Padmaja Naidu Zoological Park for its main attraction, the red panda where we also happened to meet Likki and her family. Lunch was at this hotel near the zoo and after this we headed towards the Tibetian Refugee Centre where we saw a lot of kids who were probably used to being photographed! Our next stop was Mall Road where we did some shopping and hogging in Pizza Hut (Ah, Bliss!). We visited the famous Glenary’s Bakery. It’s a 1950’s café where you can sit out and watch the mountains over a cup of tea and you will not realize how time flies. After this we walked further ahead on Mall Road till we reached an open air theatre where people performed some acrobatics on one side and on the other side was a screen playing Arijit Singh’s tracks. We spent a good few hours here and then returned to Little Tibet for dinner.

Day 3 began on a drizzly note so we sent up our prayers which were duly answered. We drove out of Darjeeling and made our way towards Pelling. We drove through the hills and children walked along the sides as they made their way towards schools. Dressed to suit the chilly weather, young girls and boys walked under the shade of umbrellas in the backdrop of mountains. For them it was another day, for us it was a memory to cherish. We waved out to them, some waved back and a little boy cried as he watched his geometry box slip and tumble down the mountains.

We drove alongside the Teesta River flowing in all her glory through the mountains. The rains subsided as we reached Melli.  We took the longer round which would give us 5-6 rapids and lasted about 40 minutes. We were driven to the rafting point in a jeep and believe it or not, 16 people were bundled together in a single jeep (including the rafting men hanging on to the sides of the vehicle!). Nidhi and I took the oars (while I strongly believe that majority of the work was done by the pros seated at the back, it was still a tiring job to row through the force of the river but everytime we faced the rapids, it was an amazing feeling as the raft rocked to and fro and threatened to turn over but was expertly maneuvered by the raftsmen  (I made that up lol). So we struck up a conversation with one of the raftsmen and when we revealed that we were from Karnataka, he amazed us with a “Kannada swalpa swalpa baratte” since he’d lived here for a few years. Nidhz and I took a dip in the Teesta River and it was cool and refreshing. I still cannot believe how I was singlehandedly hauled out of the river by the raftsman as though I was just another fish in the river! Post another maggi and chai session, lunch was at Hotel 10zing where I tried the local delicacy of Thukpa but perhaps it was not meant for me! We proceeded further towards Pelling and we reached Norbu Gang in the evening. It was another drizzly evening so we stayed inside our wooden cabins and warmed the room with the heater. We took a long walk in the rain, explored the cute property and then settled down after dinner.

The next morning was fairly sunnier and Mama and I took an early morning walk, spotted a tiny petrol bunk at the edge of a cliff and failed to get a decent cup of tea anywhere. Our new driver was Bittu who had decked up his Xylo with ManU merchandise. We started off towards Rabdentse ruins but did not venture further. We instead visited Pemayangtse Monastery from where we got a good view of the ruins and we spent some time observing the architecture of the monastery and the carvings, scriptures and paintings on the walls. We visited Singshore Bridge which is the second largest suspension bridge at a length of 189 metres. The view was magnificent and called for some photoshoots. As we proceeded further in our journey, waterfalls accompanied us and the joy of watching fresh water cascade downhill is indescribable. Through the course of this journey we had some great music providing a wonderful backdrop against the scenery. From Bollywood to English tracks to even some Nepali numbers, the playlist was just perfect!! We reached Kecheopalri Lake in the afternoon and this is supposed to be a holy lake where wishes made are said to come true. I bought one of those “Om Mane Pe Me Hu” Thoranas and it’s the one thing that I’ve added to my corner of the room to bring some colour. Lunch was at this veg restaurant suggested by the driver and we even saw some legit South Indian food and also CURD (Woohoo. When I say Curd, It was REAL LIVE CURD, not the uggh yuck muck kind of curd they make from the powdered milk! :P

 Kanchenjunga Falls was the next pitstop and it was tucked away in the interior. One of the locals helped us hop nearer to the falls ensuring that we didn’t slip on the way.There really is no word to describe how you feel as you watch pure unadulterated, unpolluted, crystal clear water gushing down in all its glory and splash across leaving a wave of lush greenery around it. That is how nature paints her magic; silently, quietly but so remarkably inimitable.

After this, we travelled further through hills and valleys until we reached Yuksom which is basically the starting point for the Goecha La / Dzongri trek. (DO read about these epic treks lasting for 9/10days entailing sleeping in tents, under the open skies and living it rough until you reach the Goecha La peak) We were to stay at Tashi Gang Hotel (we learnt later that this was actually managed by Danny Denzongpa [the Bollywood actor btw]’s brother). It’s remarkable how useful online reviews are, because the description perfectly matched what we had read on TripAdvisor. True to the review, the hotel was good and the view was promising but it seemed like it was only managed by a couple of teenage boys. Just as we had read, they sat watching the television and much to our (particularly Atthe’s) chagrin, it appeared that there were no other tourists residing In the entire hotel. Black and white photographs of Lepcha and Bhutia tribes of Sikkim taken in the 1800s adorned the eerie walls and bugs and beetles awaited us indoors. Atthe and Nidhi skipped dinner, so Mama and I went down and saw that they had prepared quite a few things (for the only residents of the hotel!). In most places, when we specified that we were strictly vegetarian, you could notice how their face fell by the tiniest fraction. Eggs, Chicken and Meat probably form a vital part of their diet so they were not used to such a ‘plain’ fare. We asleep soon enough and I had the most ABSURD dream. EVER. 

The next morning we woke up a beautiful view in our balcony (as promised by the TripAdvisor review), packed up and left towards Ravangla, Namchi and Samdrupse Hill.

Ravangla has a huge Buddha statue and a shrine underneath with a lot of intricate murals describing the life of Buddha. I purchased a few souvenirs here and we had some hot momos, maggi and more chai. The place was well maintained and flowers of all varieties enhanced the picture perfect frame. After this we headed to Namchi in South Sikkim where a huge statue of Shiva was at the epicentre while 12 temples (of the Jyothirlingas) surrounded it along with  4 Dhams (Rameshwar, Badri, Dwarka and Puri- This does not refer to the traditional 4 dhams as established by Adi Shankaracharya). After a quick lunch of Roti and Subzi, we did our round of the temples and then proceeded towards Samdrupse Hill. It was during the journey that Atthe struck up a conversation with the driver and discovered more about him. It was indeed surprising to know that he was a post graduate and intended to get into the Police force and had already made an attempt. Just like how Appa engaged Tanveer (our driver in Kashmir) with a lively banter, we learnt a lot about Sikkim, its culture and people through these interactions.

Some of the snapshots: 
I intend to share more pictures of our travels but my crappy network does not seem to support this idea. -.-

At the Kanchenzonga Falls

View from 301, Tashi Gang, Yuksom 

At Ravangla Buddha Park

View from Norbu Gang, Pelling

At Peace Pagoda, Darjeeling.

BRB.

Musical Memoirs.

Why do I love music?

It’s because music understands in a way like nothing else. Music connects to that part of your soul which either leaves you with emptiness or a sense of inexplicable contentment. Music can fill the void in your life, music can bear the emptiness in your heart and more than anything, music can celebrate with your happiness. Every emotion is amplified with the right music.

Music can bring out the dark memories that you want to banish from your mind or the even your most cherished ones.

Every song (atleast 75%) of the songs I listen to have associations. It might be the simplest memory of the location where I was when I heard it or something more complicated like what I was going on in my life when I heard it.

Take:

• Manja: takes me back to the movie Kai Po Che which I watched with the Deeksha gang on the sanskrit exam got over. It was my first such outing with so many people and we had a good time. The best part is Adi and Sanj also have fond memories associated with this song :)

• My Happy Ending: Stardoll lead me to Avril Lavigne and some "research" on the Girlfriend singer lead me to this song. There is so much sorrow and anger in this song that it just resonated further back then with my moody musings.

• Naadan Parinday: This beautiful song was stuck in my mind during the holidays post first year. Maybe it was Rahman's voice or maybe it was the soulful lyrics, but it is definitely a song that will remain with you.

• One in a million: I recently got this song after almost 5-6 years. Back in high school, watching Hannah Montana was not encouraged at home but the badass that I am, I would continue to stare at the idiot box even after Suite Life of Zac and Cody had ended (oh that show! :') )Maybe the simplicity of the lyrics or my eagerness to relate to it being a teenager led to my obsession with few of her songs.

• Too little, too late by Jojo: Donated to my playlist by Maidha during Deeksha days, this song is a typical example of how when you are in the mood, you seem to be able to relate to every song that you listen to.

• Raabta: Another donation by Maidha on one rainy day back from Deeksha, I only fell in love with this song much later.

•  Phir Mohabbat: Not many know that Pa was and still is a great lover of music. Back when it was the era of cassettes, he had a huge collection of songs of Mohammed Rafi, Kishore Kumar, Kumar Sanu and the likes. He took my surprise when this song was playing over the radio and he announced that it was actually one of his "current favourites". Given how he is usually not expressive, his explanation really touched me.

• Yoon Shabnami: Did I mention I was also into cassette collecting business? So when the movie promos were out, I had to plead and managed to get both OSO and Saawariya cassettes. I had this small casette player (I still didn't have my iPod yet I guess). This qawwali style song was on the hitlist in those days not to mention the other songs of Sawaariya.

• Ai Pappi: Kismet Konnection: Yep, you read it right. I'm usually not the funky party song kinda song but I do have the occasional love for some peppy numbers and this is one of them. Maybe it was Shahid Kapoor’s dance or just the infectious beat of this song that made it a favourite back then.

• Heroes: Alesso. Donated to my playlist by Froggie, this song has such a good vibe that it’s a great way to begin your morning.

• Something New: Axwell Ingrosso. Yet another contribution by the music addicted Frog that’s got a great tempo and a feel-good vibe to it.

• Empty: The Click Five. Knowing my love for Snow Patrol, Annlee contributed this song because it’s got some similarity with Chasing Cars (Snow Patrol). They don’t have too many songs but this is one of their good ones.