Where
Are the Kites...
11th Aug’2014...
As every other evening, I was standing at the bus stop where people waiting for their buses looked more thoughtless than the non-respiring buses that they were waiting for. Smart ladies with Gucchi purses (I doubt, if original) made me feel proud at one moment and think of a future like theirs at the other. A day long work and then a ‘need-to-sleep-but-have-to-cook’ expression at their faces told me why this category of unfortunate bus stand lovers looked thoughtless. Then I turned my eyes over perfectly crisped shirts, mostly in check patterns complimented with dark shades of trousers. And then I moved my eyes over the faces that these clothes were carrying (Ooops! Reverse). The faces that had uniquely same nose, eyes, lips, and sweat! This category looked exhausted, as if dreaming to take the wrong bus intentionally and go on a different route of which they hope to be a swimming pool of delightful and stress free life. This category is often seen staring at the cars that could afford their owners (Ooops! Reverse). Well, they are tired, dreamers...yet thoughtless! And there was a happy category (or a bunch) of a blend of smart, sweet, funny people laughing at one liners and PJ’s. This group was though not very unfortunate to be a member of ‘Bus Stop Club’, as they looked full of life and their life appeared full of reasons to be thoughtless. Neither they had any tension of what to cook today, nor were they tired of any scheduled life. All they cared about was ‘who is going to pay for Momos and Cream Roll’. Aaaah! This life! This youthful, sparkling life! It takes a lot to reach to this life!
11th Aug’2014...
As every other evening, I was standing at the bus stop where people waiting for their buses looked more thoughtless than the non-respiring buses that they were waiting for. Smart ladies with Gucchi purses (I doubt, if original) made me feel proud at one moment and think of a future like theirs at the other. A day long work and then a ‘need-to-sleep-but-have-to-cook’ expression at their faces told me why this category of unfortunate bus stand lovers looked thoughtless. Then I turned my eyes over perfectly crisped shirts, mostly in check patterns complimented with dark shades of trousers. And then I moved my eyes over the faces that these clothes were carrying (Ooops! Reverse). The faces that had uniquely same nose, eyes, lips, and sweat! This category looked exhausted, as if dreaming to take the wrong bus intentionally and go on a different route of which they hope to be a swimming pool of delightful and stress free life. This category is often seen staring at the cars that could afford their owners (Ooops! Reverse). Well, they are tired, dreamers...yet thoughtless! And there was a happy category (or a bunch) of a blend of smart, sweet, funny people laughing at one liners and PJ’s. This group was though not very unfortunate to be a member of ‘Bus Stop Club’, as they looked full of life and their life appeared full of reasons to be thoughtless. Neither they had any tension of what to cook today, nor were they tired of any scheduled life. All they cared about was ‘who is going to pay for Momos and Cream Roll’. Aaaah! This life! This youthful, sparkling life! It takes a lot to reach to this life!
Where we stand today, may be considered a part of our decisions, but how we stand is a long story of our upbringing. We believe in moving on with the passing of time. We believe in collecting what comes our way and live with it. We believe in a lifestyle that is fast paced and flashing. Without realizing what we leave behind while we believe to be at the top!
While my half empty brain unnecessarily observed these thoughtless appearing unfortunate bus lovers, the whistle of my phone (yea! Smart one) beeped. I scrolled down the curtain on the screen to check my notifications! There were a few people fascinating me with ‘abe chal’, ‘mogambo khush hua’, ’satakli’ etc sort of stickers on Hike. Also there were two messages for some property at Noida Expressway. And a few messages on whatsapp some of which made an appeal to set Indian Flag as Profile Picture.
Well now! That’s Pretty Interesting! (Yo Holiday!) The non respiring buses, the thoughtless people, the carefree youngsters... nothing entertained my half empty brain about the Holiday (ooo... I should mean holy day). And something more alarming at the moment was no excitement for the 68th Independence Day. I rolled my eyes up to check if the sky was as vibrant as I used to see Pre-Independence day few years back. I wanted to check if the craze of ‘I-BOW’ still exists. But I realised, things have changed and now restricted to change of whatsapp DP. I could soon sense the clear skies of the evening, which years ago at the same time used to play with a no. of colourful rhombus thing- The KITES!
Days before the celebration of Independence Day, I remember running up to the terrace with every single Kid living in the same building where I did. We always had one or two uncles who used to join us, not just because they helped us fly the kites, but also because they feared that we kids will ape Shaktiman and his revolving stunt on terrace. As a part of Contradiction, today a 6-year old would be considered mature and smart enough to operate tablets and chat on Social Networking Sites.
I remember the Celebration used to be grand, though on a small scale. As what we valued was the fun and get to gathers. The aunties would make Samosas and Pakodas (I doubt, if they could actually make something so delicious), there used to be songs, dancing, fun, and the sacred national anthem.
We used to buy stacks of kites, as apart from eating, sleeping, home works, lame excuses of headaches and fever... childhood is meant to enjoy and play. And during the month of August, playing meant flying kites. (Though for me, it meant either to carry “Charkhi” or just hold the “maanjha”...but I have always considered it a way of fun that is beyond happiness)
Those were the days and that was the childhood. Even today we have days, weeks, hours...but what we have lost is the innocence of life. The little things that brought grand joy are vanishing and grand developments in technology that is bringing temporary and fake satisfaction at the name of a “joyful life” is advancing.
Should not it be just the reverse...?
There is no one to blame for my non-excitement for this holy day, neither the non respiring buses, nor the thoughtless people. Neither the carefree youngsters, nor my half empty brain. But I just pray and feel pity for the clear sky. I feel pity that there are so less children to run up to the terrace and pay their contributions to make the sky vibrant with a few countable numbers of kites. There is no scope of ‘I-BOW’ competition. I wonder if there is any “fly the kite” app on their smart phones!
Anyways! Back with my eyes at the bus stop, I decided to quickly get into the over-crowded, hanging people bus (yeah! They unbelievably hang at the doors) and run to buy kites (and I hoped, people still sell them). And right now, my colourful purchase is right in front of my eyes. Time to call friends, and fly some kites (or may be hold the ‘charkhi’) Time to have fun- Outdoors! And enough of reading this for you as well! Go out and #happyflying. J
