My Pensieve

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!