Be Safe...And Let Be

There's a couple about the same age as my parents in our neighborhood in Chennai. They had two sons and both of them are not in this world any more. Their first son died in a train accident while travelling on footboard about 10 years ago when he was only 17 and their second son died in a car accident two nights ago. He turned 26 two months back. When i learnt about the message this morning, I was very very upset. I did not know about the nature of the accident since it was a text message from my sister. I was left staring at my mobile for a couple of minutes in utter disbelief. I was feeling very sorry for him. When i called my parents later on, I learnt that he was driving a car and that the car had hit a stationary bus. There were 4 people in the car and all four had died, three including himself on the spot. I was a little furious after knowing this. Then I learnt that it was a case of drunk driving. I was really infuriated at this point. Then my dad cried on the phone. He was really upset after hearing the news. My mom did not how to confront the bereaved mother. I knew that my sister was very upset too. Now, I was feeling sorry for him again and more so for his parents.

The worst thing about death is that more often than not, when you die, you leave atleast a handful of people helpless and in a pitiful state. The rest of my day was mostly spent on thinking about him and his parents. The feelings ranged from extreme pity to uncontrollable anger.

To me, the only villain in this whole episode was alcohol. Why is there such a big urge to consume alcohol? What's the big deal in losing one's senses? Even if that's tolerated, how could one drink and drive, being fully aware of the consequences? I have been easy-going as far as my friends drinking alcoholic beverages is concerned. But today's incident makes me think. What's the point? I am suffering because my friend drove under the influence of alcohol. My father is. My whole family is and many such families are...the biggest sufferers being none other than his very own parents. What he gained by drinking alcohol is nothing compared to what his family has lost. Why don't people understand this simple fact?

Please stop consuming alcohol starting now. It's simply not worth it. Even if you are weak and can't let go, atleast make sure that you don't drive while you are drunk and please don't be your own judge as to how much alochol is "acceptable". Even if you don't care to do this, the least you can do is to make sure you die your death all alone. I am not going to shed a single drop of tear in the future for anyone who invites his own fate and puts the lives of others in danger by driving under the influence of alcohol.

Those of you who don't drink, don't feel uncomfortable to keep reminding your friends about the grave danger that comes with drinking and drunk driving. Be a pest if that's what it takes and be willing to be the driver if you feel the slightest suspicion that your friend will drive under influence if you don't accompany him or her.

Those of you who drink, be safe and feel free to make full use of people like me who can drive so that you can drink to your heart's content. A little discomfort is nothing compared to saving your priceless lives...

Note To Self

Chicken Pizza...never order one(well, half) again!

India will treat you like a Queen, my girl!

I've always wanted to go back to India for good and I still do. There was one astronomical concern though. I was not concerned about the big bucks...not wholly.

How was I to survive in India leaving my American love back here?

My first acquaintance with her happened in Pittsburgh, more than a year after i moved to the United States. Was it love at first sight or smell or touch? I don't think I can solely attribute the reason for my love to one of the above...it was something else- something that I cherish till this date and will for years to come. She was blazing hot but was bitter about something(she still is sometimes, depending on my mood though). I tried my best to cheer her up and within seconds she showed me how sweet she can be. I learnt that she was born in Seattle and that she was nine years old when I was born. Well, to be honest, it did not matter to me.

Then what some people would think is magic and what I think was a matter-of-time happened. I met her in Cincinnati, right inside my university. I started meeting her frequently, but could not open up to her, for i hadn't started earning then. A man needs to have some money before he can love without any inhibitions, doesn't he? "cruel world", i used to think. The coffee shop had become our vantage meeting point.

My love for her reached it's peak after i moved to San Diego. As you must have guessed by now, she was here too, ready to give me company wherever i went. But India? I felt again that it was a matter-of-time, but how long will i be able to wait? "If your love is true", I told myself, "she will come to India". But somehow, there was not much optimism left in me, despite the fact that India is westernizing a lot and that she might not find it hard to feel at home and prosper there.

I was worried that I'd end up missing her badly in India.

Now, there's no concern. She has decided to come to India...she's even planning to go there before I do and wait for me to make my arrival special. i'll perhaps even get a chance to embrace and kiss her right at the Arignar Anna International Airport...

you won't be missed dear, for I'll come to you soon...

A salute to the Mahatma on his 137th birthday

To the humblest soul ever to have graced this planet...


...it so happens that this is the 100th post on this blog. it couldn't have been better. Jai Hind!

World Elders Day

October 1st is(was almost, where i live) World Elders Day. I take this opportunity to remember and thank all the elders who were instrumental in making me what i am today. My parents, my grandparents, my relatives, my "elder" friends, my teachers and countless people from history, some of whom lived ages before i was even born were all in one way or the other responsible for my growth and prosperity. Without them, i'll be nothing today...