My Pensieve

Back in 2011, I was placed in a small industrial township of Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO), a unit of the mining conglomerate Vedanta Resources Plc. Little did I know that life in BALCO township (situate in the town called Korba in the state of Chhattisgarh) would give me an insight like none other. As a fresh graduate lawyer, I was raring to go. Having been roped in by one of the top multi-national corporate houses, I assumed that the way of working would be fast paced. And it was. BALCO had been a public sector undertaking (a PSU i.e. a government enterprise) up until its disinvestment in the year 2001. In 2001, the government decided to disinvest 51% of its equity and management control to a private entity (Sterlite Industries India Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Vedanta Resources plc). Before the disinvestment took place, all employees were employees of the Government of India. Post disinvestment, it was agreed that the existing workmen would cont...

A couple of days back I heard my boss say something about a biro (by-roh). Unsure of what she was referring to, I looked it up - and found google search results showing some ball-point pens from a company called bic, available readily on Amazon. I dismissed my search soon thereafter, a bit let down by it being just a ball-point pen and not something fancier that I had hoped it would be! As it turns out, I had dismissed the biro too soon. Today, Google commemorated Ladislao José Biro's 117th birthday through a doodle. He is the inventor of the biro or the ball-point pen as it was hitherto known to me. Upon clicking the doodle to find out more about him, I came across the name László József Bíró - which I immediately recognised as a Hungarian name. José, on the other hand, was a very Spanish name. Intrigued by this duality in names, I continued reading the articles that came up in the search results. László József Bíró was indeed a Jewish Hungarian who had had to flee from H...

I would not have realised the magic that Lucky Ali's mellow voice could create or induce if it had not been for that afternoon in Kolkata, having lunch at a small eatery on Park Street. It was a small but decently done up place. I chose a spot and ordered from the menu, being a little wary of what I'd be given from the limited vegetarian fare. While waiting for the food to be dished out, I could hear strains of music in a low volume. The music was a comfort to the ears, and upon listening closely, I figured it was Lucky Ali humming जाने क्या ढूँढता है ये मेरा दिल , तुझको क्या चाहिए ज़िन्दगी .... The music made me forget my apprehensions of the food for some time. While trying to remember the lyrics of the song to be able to silently hum along, I was served with the freshly prepared steamed rice and some veggies. But I was more drawn towards the golden lines - रास्ते ही रास्ते हैं , कैसा है ये सफ़र ........ जाने क्या ढूँढता है ये मेरा दिल ..... Although I managed to r...

Traveling is one of the most enriching experiences. But traveling is not enough. Traveling with the essentials / must-haves is the key to feeling good during the travel (irrespective of the terrain, the weather, the facilities etc)! After a recent work trip to Kolkata, I figured there are some basic things which I should not afford to miss in my travel bag. Here's a personal travel essentials list: 1. Shower Gel 1. Loofah 1. Facewash 1. Toothbrush 1. Tube of toothpaste (small) 1. Perfume [Purse friendly bottle] 1. Lotion 1. Lip butter 1. Kohl stick 1. Socks [for the pretty feet to remain so!] 1. Shampoo sachet [of the preferred brand. Hotel shampoos are bad.] 1. Conditioner sachet [absolutely essential for those perfect locks] 1. Hair oil sachet [must have for protection against unavoidable hard water] 1. Comb 1. Washing powder sachet [yes, it is essential. Especially for extremely fussy people like myself, who will not use a dirty comb!!] 1. Towel [bigger than...

One of the most interesting latitudes of law (or lawtitude, henceforth) is humour. Yes, there is humour in the black and white. This brand of humour – Legal, is fast catching up, even amongst the non-lawyers. Here’s a true-to-the-letter relay of what transpired in an Arbitration proceeding: Character sketch: The Advocate, a Barrister, with (a very attractive) clipped British accent (even after years of leaving the Brit land). Takeaways from the conversation: Sharp. Quick-witted. Polite. The Arbitrator, a (very endearing) retired High Court Judge. Good-natured. The Audience: Myself. A lawyer. With humour. Modest? Yes. To read the full text, click on  Latitude: Humour; Brand: Legal .

What is the turning point of one's profession? When we start loving it, knowingly or when it starts to creep into the everyday life, the routine, unknowingly?! The knowledge is still elusive. Until then, the former cannot be affirmatively admitted. But the unknown has always been intriguing! The inadvertent, unknown latter definitely means something! I wonder whether the traits of quick disposal and early consumption have got anything to do with being a lawyer [a Corporate lawyer not the litigating one ;)] or is it just a co-incidence?! While the lawyer in me (I'd rather attribute it to that  than to any other compulsiveness!) would rather treat the household grocery stocks like Company cases, to be disposed off quickly and to not be bought in bulk, I see a clear contrast in an engineer friend working in the Commercial (Purchase / Contracts) Department, who believes in building inventory!! While the lawyer flinches at new cases being filed (either by / against the Comp...

Yes I made fun of it. I laughed when the call waiting of M.P. phones would alternatively inform, "जे नंबर माँ फोन लगाये हवो ओहा कौनो दूसरा नंबर माँ व्यस्त होवे . कृपया इंतज़ार करो अथवा थोडकिन देर बाद कोशिश करो ". I would also laugh at the prerecorded message asking me, "छत्तीसगढ़ी माँ सुनने हेतु पांच दबावा " Little did I know that destiny had decided to send me here, in Chhattisgarh. I disliked the place on day one, and two, and three and some more days. But eventually, I came to terms with it. And I shall reveal right here, that I started liking it soon :) I like it for the torrential rains, a phenomena never witnessed in Delhi. Bhopal still had more of rains. But not comparable. I like it for the scooty experience I never had earlier. Cars in Delhi. Autos in Bhopal. Unfortunately, I did not have a "friend with benefit [of a bike]". I like it for the freedom I got. Too young in school. Too restricted in college. Restricted by self. By society. I...

No this is not a dear diary declaration. But since I am the most ardent reader of my own blog, it is only right to write to myself :p Note to self #1: Hobby is 'supposed' to be an ongoing, continuing activity. To be bettered, improved, improvised every time it is undertaken during the leisure hour. It need not necessarily have to be completed in a stipulated time!

To choose an inspiration is a tough task. For that is not just the selection of / attraction towards the person / persona / personality but more importantly what you yourself want to be in life. To inspire, on the other hand, is easier. How? I still have not figured who inspires me the most. But, unknowingly, I have managed to inspire a few (very few) friends! :) And yes, they've been sweet enough to tell me too! Feels nice, though! And has kept me going.

Amidst the unfortunate incident of death due to brutal gang rape of a young girl in Delhi, I am left to wonder that though निर्भया is no more, the भय very much remains. Though दामिनी is no more, the demons are still out at large. Not just in Delhi but almost everywhere. I am not even venturing on the futile naming of the girl by the media or her being referred to as "India's daughter", "Braveheart" etc. I am sure, had she had her way, she would rather have lived a life in fear than die fearless. She would rather have been a coward than become a braveheart. And she'd rather live  as her parents' daughter than die as India's daughter. The connected issues which have been once again brought to light by this unfortunate incident like "lack of safety and safe environment for women in India", "sick mentality of a section of men", "need for stricter laws" etc. are already being pondered over by the nation. What I am conce...

From the perfections of one book to the travails of another to the imperfections of yet other.. Her story was not over yet, she felt. She wanted to read another book she'd not read, yet. Someone had told her, when she was still a seven year old, "Look for the signs, girl". Since then, she searched and searched all around her, and tried with all her mind to catch them signs. She deduced and inferred a few good omens in her life. One of them being, her life is the book she's reading. She'd seen it being true, a few times too often.. Barely a year into the working world, at twenty-four, she was wondering, whether she ought to find a new book, the right book, the right story or just the right character. Meant to be, is it or not yet or never - was the question she was looking for an answer to, in a million dollar signed copy or a second-hand book. Signs, after all, could be just any-which-where. Who could say she was a lawyer? A lawyer with answers to quest...

Are 'I' and 'myself'  inseparable? Are they simply grammatical forms of the same person? Are they inter-changeable? A big NO is the answer to all the above questions. When invited for a party, I can decide to go alone. Or, I  can take along with me, my companion, myself . When I try to explain this concept to a privileged few, they ask, "How on earth can you go anywhere without yourself?" Well, if I am going out of compulsion and am not enjoying at that party, I have definitely left myself  behind. Simply put,  I and myself are twin souls that have polar moods. They are extremely moody and lead 'me'  into extreme choices. Of late, 'my'  most important task has been to keep them together! This is so because 'I'  have figured that the best company for 'me'  is none other than 'myself'  !! I am happiest doing something only when both I and myself  are together... To have a perfect Sunday, all that is required is I...

What they say and what I hear: Boss says: You've got to finish this in 2 Hours' time. I hear: You've got to finish this in 2 H(opeless)ours' time. Friend says: Let's meet in 2 Hours' time. I hear: Let's meet in 2 H(opeful)ours' time. Mom (in a panic mode when I haven't packed and station itself is an hour away): Your train is in 2 Hours' time. I hear: Your train is in 2 H(urried)ours' time. Colleagues say: Let's grab a drink between 1500-1600 Hours. I hear: Let's grab a drink between 1500-1600 H(appy)ours. Sister says: The party shall begin at 2300 Hours. I hear: The party shall begin at 2300 H(igh)ours. Priest says: The Christmas mass will last 2 Hours. I hear: The Christmas mass will last 2 H(ushed)ours. An hour or any part of it, is a very strong word. An hour comprises of H+our. The 'H' is how I feel at that time. And 'our' is the companion of that H. While trying to meet o...

If you want a living first-hand experience of the real-life depiction of your obituary, hand in that resignation letter with a month's notice, or live that last month of your soon-to-end-college life!! In the end, everyone is supremely nice, they will find ways to remind you of how you have been good to them, what is that thing in your personality that makes you lovable :) This is the good part. The bad part is that why didn't all those people realize these very things a few years back. If only they'd realized the goodness in us, maybe those past years would have been more beautiful..

The most bizarre thought but worth a thought nonetheless - I guess the biggest cure of old age and boredom is to sit at the railway station with a companion (hopefully) and observe people leaving and arriving. Railway station is really the most interesting place to see all the frenzy of emotions :)

A night before the very last exam of my law school life, here I am, chit-chatting in my friend's room. My friend had just received a confirmation regarding the publication of her short story in a US magazine (and that too in hard copy plus she is being paid for it! Yay!). That moment, our long concocted plan (some 2-3 years ago we had come up with it in one of those really late night 3-4 hour long marathon conversations talking about all the things on earth, literally all the things - except law - that was taboo :D ) re-surfaced in our discussions - "Man, what are we doing here in this law school?" and the subsequent - "It is the biggest mistake of our lives!" Our plan - She - the hot shot writer - Me - the hot shot translator - making her work reach international audience :D - We - not the hot shot lawyers anymore!! We had decided that ten years down the line we would be doing anything but law - hopefully a joint venture of writer+editor+translator!! She has ...

हिंदी हैं हम वतन हैं हिंदुस्तान हमारा हमारा सारे जहाँ से अच्छा - मुझे आज भी याद है की यह गाना और ऐसे ही कई और गाने हमने स्कूल के स्वतंत्रता दिवस आदि के कार्यक्रमों में बखूबी गाये हैं. लेकिन फिर भी हम अंग्रेजी में कुशलता, निपुणता आदि हासिल करने के पीछे भागते रहते हैं. हममें से अधिकतर लोग अपनी मातृभाषा को इतनी आसानी से क्यूँ भूलते जा रहे हैं? हममें से अधिकतर को क्यूँ शर्म आती है जब हम अंग्रेजी में अछे से बात नहीं कर पाते? दोस्तों के साथ हम क्यूँ अंग्रेजी में बात करना चाहते हैं जबकि हम सब को हिंदी बोलनी आती है? बहुत से लोग क्यूँ इतने गर्व से कहते हैं - "अरे मुझे हिंदी की संख्या नहीं आती. ज़रा अंग्रेजी में तो बताना कितने पैसे हुए?" या फिर - "ढाई मतलब क्या वक़्त हुआ है? और सवा मतलब कितना?" कोई यह क्यूँ नहीं सोचता की नहीं आता है तो सीख लेना चाहिए. आखिर हिंदी हमारी मातृभाषा है. यह दुर्गति केवल हिंदी की नहीं परन्तु अनेक भारतीय भाषाओँ की है. गौरतलब तो यह है की केवल आम आदमी ही नहीं, किन्तु देश के मार्गदर्शक नेता भी इसी "अंग्रेजी बोलो" दौड़ में शामिल हैं. किसी ...

धारावाहिक "तेरे लिए" का यह गाना - अनुराग और तानी के सच्चे प्यार को दर्शाते हुए: तेरे बिन यूँ रही ज़िन्दगी, जैसे ठहरी हुई एक नदी, यूँ कटा एक पल, जैसे काटी हो मैंने सदी, कबसे खड़ी तेरे लिए, तेरे लिए तेरे लिए जिस्म पाक आँखों में भर लूं, सास सास में शामिल कर लूं  इस दुनिया में जान गवा तुझे उस दुनिया में हासिल कर लूं ज़िन्दगी गवा कर भी जो ज़िन्दगी मिले, हर ख़ुशी गवा कर भी जो एक ख़ुशी मिले, तो मांग लूं तेरे लिए.. तेरे लिए.. तेरे लिए.. रूह से रूह के दरमियाँ, इश्क के है हजारों जहाँ, या खुदा..या खुदा..मुझको दे दे अगर एक जहाँ, तो मांग लूं तेरे लिए..तेरे लिए..तेरे लिए.. सौ सितम उठा कर भी जो एक ख़ुशी मिले, सौ जन्नतें गवा कर भी जो एक ज़मी मिले.. तेरे सजदे में सर है झुका, तू इबादत है तू ही दुआ, मौत के बाद भी, जो मिले बंदगी का सिला, तो मांग लूं तेरे लिए..तेरे लिए..तेरे लिए.. जिस्म-ओ-जान लुटा कर भी जो एक हसी मिले, दिल अगर जला कर भी जो रौशनी मिले, तो मांग लूं तेरे लिए..तेरे लिए..तेरे लिए.. जन्मों का प्यार तेरे लिए, खुशियाँ हज़ार तेरे लिए.. जन्नत दुआ तेरे लिए, ये जाँ निसार तेरे लिए.. तेरे लिए...

What is fun? It means different things for different people. The common perception is that usually hanging out with a big bunch of friends is the best thing! But what if you don't enjoy that? Is there something wrong with you? I think not. Maybe there is something missing in that outing which makes you feel that you are not enjoying. You might have been better off reading that book of yours you've been wanting to read forever. I have realized that it is good to try all those highly recommended/suggested ideas of having fun, but then stick to what suits you best. Also, a pointer for self - if you are not enjoying with that big bunch of friends - maybe it is time to find people you would actually enjoy with!

Not so long a while ago, I was not very excited at the thought of travelling usually. It was a hectic thing. But 2010 - 2011 happened to be that year when I ended up travelling a lot! (it was a lot at least by my past standards :D) And as it happens, I realized that I am actually enjoying it and looking forward to more of it!! It for-sure-as-hell is the REAL learning experience in its truest sense!! This is my next resolution - to ensure as many travel breaks for myself as I can amidst being a soon-to-be-working-girl!!