Saturday, June 5, 2010

Just for Today

Just for Today :
  1. Smile at a stranger.
  2. Listen to someone's heart.
  3. Drop a coin where a child can find it.
  4. Learn something new, then teach it to someone else.
  5. Hug a loved one.
  6. Don't be afraid to say "I'm Sorry".
  7. Smell the rain, feel the breeze, listen to wind, enjoy the sun, enjoy traffic.
  8. Make a promise and keep it (at least for self).
  9. Call someone, for no other reason  than just say "Hi".
  10. Cherish all your TODAYS!

Yes, your life will be beautiful every Today :)
-PC


Thursday, June 3, 2010

Rice-n-Chilly(ing) Powder

A grand party in Pizza hut for no reason :) Today I could spend almost 500 bucks for a pizza and I am THE pizza fan! But those days were better than pizza moments. There was one special situation in my life when I was travelling by train from Dharward to Davangere.
It happens to be sometime in 4th semester of engineering life and I was on the way back to Davangere from Dharwad (favorite city).
 I left previous night by 11 PM towards DWD by train. In the rush of playing carom I forgot to have dinner. early morning in DWD, after so many days I enjoyed Shira - called as "kesari baat" in South Karnataka. I was surprised to pay 5 rupees and to get only one small bowl :( only 2 seconds in was in bowl. If it was in davangere, I could have had khali dosa - 3 small dosas and important thing is unlimited amount of chutney :) Anyhow I couldn't afford more than that; I had money but I didn't spend it.
My friends' with whom I had meeting were busy in classes but still they arranged a bed to sleep. Neither they asked me about food nor did I thought about it. We went for a party by late afternoon and it was my turn to treat being an engineering student :) We came to JSS college campus. I can't forget my first day at JSS college, Vidyagiri. Today was another such day with drizzling rain and just another day in heaven :)
Here comes the party time! I was not happy about the hotel  we entered but was helpless. I opted for Dal-n-one roti which itself was charged with 50 bucks! (almost ten khali dosa :( ) My friends were doing favor of being with me! I didn't eat much was left hungry even after so called party where I paid 200+. Friends are friends :)
By 5.45 PM, I was in Hubli railway station to reach back my college. I had two trains, express which costs 50+ and passenger costs about 30+ ( I don't remember cost exactly but there was difference, I mean too much difference). Few crocodiles were passing inside my stomach by this time. I took a right decision to travel by passenger which may leave by 7.30 PM. I slept for an hour in railway station. Grabbed a nice seat in general compartments. Now the story starts with my return journey!
It was expected that train will reach Davangere by 12 midnight and with experience one could say by 1 AM with maximum delay. I could still get food in my hostel, especially BC beer (minimum 3 days cocktail what is called as buttermilk by few folks). I had a second thought to buy idli-wada but 2 idli and 1 wada costs 10 rupees! thats too much :) 
And the Hero enters; He was travelling for the first time to Bengaluru, was crying and very upset to leave parents and his hometown! Dressing clearly made me feel like family is BPL (Below poverty line). His parents finally said adieu when train started in good pace. I thought I should talk to him and make him relaxed. After few minutes we became friends :) And sat by door enjoying wind speed as time pass by. He is 16+ and going to Bengaluru to get a job which seems to be more of a assured and his job was connecting wires what he says and i felt its like networking or cable related.
Another twenty minutes passed and train stopped. 8.20 PM. We were forced to move away from door. Train was expected to arrive in DVG by 12 midnight and I was suppose to eat something by 30 past 12 or 1 AM with  max delay. Twist started here when I felt train or the driver is sleeping. Its been an hour and there is no any movement. My stomach was yelling. I felt as if Yakshyagaana is being conducted in my stomach.
I said to my travel mate about artistic sounds in my stomach and he insisted me to take his meals packed from home. Off course I didn't accept that with due respect. Its 9.00 PM now and surprisingly not even water is being sold. There are no any eatables, no idly, no vada, no bhelpuri not even biscuits or anything at all! Not even good trees nearby to fetch fruits Another hour passed by. It was difficult for me to talk also. Yesterday afternoon I had good meals and little bit of shira, dal-roti today afternoon. Train was suppose to reach by 12 and till 11.30 PM it didnt move at all We are just one hour away from Hubli. There is no sound of movement also. I learned by this time that engine is on strike and we are waiting for another engine. Meanwhile my friend insisted me to have his food 2-3 times as I was too much uncomfortable.My eyes I felt bad for not eating in party or not purchasing anything in station. I felt now like I have too much money but its just a paper. Finally by 11.45, I agreed to his offer ( as if I was doing favor to him:) ).
He opened a box, full of white rice and chilli powder on that. My mouth was watering. But only rice and chilly powder? I asked him if he have anything else. I got one big onion. hmmm. Had no options. next five minutes, I cannot forget this moment ever in my life, these five minutes I don't know how I ate it when tears are more like nayagara falls and still it was too tasty. I didnt even ask him if he wanna eat. I was not in this world at all. For my badluck now after this big drama train started. Just after 15 minutes we reached next stop and yes .... There are lots of eatables. I could see some ready foods like chips, biscuits, chocolates etc. Just fifteen minutes earlier if engine was working fine then I would have not tasted rice-n-chilly powder......! I took few biscuits and few more eatables and I offered to him for his great survival support.
Today when I could spend 500+ for a meal I can't forget that memorable day of my life.I tried to save money but someone else saved me from hunger. I get know what does hunger mean :)
I cant say I was wrong when I tried to save money. I cant even say I am right especially when I was eating HOT rice-n-chilly. I was lucky to try to help that guy who in turn helped me a lot. Today I could spend thousands for a meal but was the day where money didn't work in any way. I can't eat only rice and chilly powder with an onion now. Rest of the journey till DVG was fantastic and memorable. I never met that guy in my life and I wish I will never face such situation in my life.