Mumbai....The evergreen city of India

If you want to see a truly dynamic city,which induces a spirit of "work worship" even in the mind of the laziest,where "rest" has no meaning,where people are forced to innovate to succeed,I will point to Mumbai. I was fortunate to get a chance to have a glimpse of life at Mumbai.I started to this city with my friend beside me at 9:00 am cursing the AC seats as they are costly and the compartment is cold.I saw some inspiring things in the very compartment but didn't realize that destination would be far more greater than journey......We had our lunch and met an old women, who parents are from Andhra, lived in Orissa and going to Mumbai.She has been sitting in that seat for about 24 hours and will get down after us.She is very active, helpful and kind....and I didn't see even a bit of irritation about such a long journey.She gave us some pickle usually made in Andhra but which she improvised with her expertise, giving it a Orissa flavor.There is an other women who made me sit by her side and gave me things to eat and said that I look like her son who is currently in the army.I could see that this mother's eyes have waited long and are longing to see her son.She says that she had opposed her son from joining the army but he said "Everyone dies mom.....I want to give my life for a worthy cause."

I went to stand by the door of the train, to feel some warmth and get some air.This is where the third person is waiting to share his life experiences with me.He is young,lean and is 22 years of age.He joined navy to support his family.He gave us some glimpses of diversity of India through his training and work experiences. During his training, he used to write some exams in a region of high altitude.He says "rain starts falling and we were asked to come back after an hour". I thought, rain water must have leaked through the roof.But the fact is, the clouds are within the room and the water started precipitating and falling in the room.......!!!He told us about the daily routine of naval fleet and said that they need to live on for months without any telephone signal and any trace of land.He seemed to have good knowledge about the guns and said that "Mahesh babu in athadu did several mistakes, by keeping gun in safe mood while shooting" etc....He needs to leave his family and friends back in his village to answer the call of duty....

We got down in the middle and filled our bellies with some bananas and other eatables.We finally reached our destination "Thane"at around 3:00 where the relatives of my friend live.We finally met this man, whom my friend called "uncle" and left for his home.I silently appreciated the energy this man showed in those early hours.We had a good days sleep and woke up around 9:00 and then I had the time to appreciate the house of this family.They have one kid and house, spacious enough for 4. But our arrival made the total 5.Again I gave my silent apologies for my presence there.They are very helpful and kind.I was amazed at the energy of this man.This man used to inquire about the college and studies.He definitely has good insight into the condition of the economy and opportunities and share his experiences and spoke of the opportunities for various fields at around 00:00 i.e. after he comes home. But we didn't feel it to be that late because the light used to be there even at 9:00 PM  and made it look like it is just 6:00PM.I was surprised by the diversity that my mother India has.....We used to sleep at 1:00 AM usually after informative encounters with him.The food is not as good as my mother used to cook but far better than any hotel or mess.My friend showed me around.The city is packed with population.Well planned flats packed with luxury and comfort in small space and have a nice view and ventilation.Easily around 70 families live in an apartment of 7 floors.There are trees in the vicinity of apartment.

As we wandered around the streets of Mumbai,I was surprised by the lack of traffic in such a big city.I already came to know that train is the chief and cheap mode of transport but I didn't think that road transport would be this minimal (especially after seeing Hyderabad).The variety of opportunities that the kids got in this region amazed me.There are clubs for each colony with various facilities like swimming, table tennis,karate, skating and many other unseen activities.I felt that, children will have an all round development and this environment stimulates innovative thinking.There are hundreds of apartments bigger than our's in the same region.I came to know that money changes hands quiet frequently....The cost of living is high.People earn and spend a lot.Apart from this, I noticed that the girls in this region are pretty HOT,AWESOME,SEXY,CUTE whatever.... Each one of them can become a heroine.

I stayed with my friend for 3 days and left to join the company.I need to work here for 1 and half month.And luckily they provided accommodation.Its a guest house with decent rooms.It also happens to be place for marriage ceremonies.I went there during the evening with my friend and uncle. They left me after I got my room.I came to know that we were given 2 rooms for 4 members from BITS and already a member took keys for one room.I ate the tasty marriage food(of course I paid for it) and made friends with watchman and warden.There are beautiful houses with gardens and roads just beside the guesthouse.There was a board named B type Colony.It is the quarters for employee families working in the company named "Century Rayon".It is one of the companies of Birla group.To the other side of the guest house, there is a temple called Birla Mandir.I saw a beautiful temple made from pure marble in Hyderabad.It was constructed by Birlas'.It is the similar, well maintained temple, not of white marble but has beautiful gardens and sculptures.

Next day morning,I met my fellow students.We went to the Company to report to our PS instructor.This is the day when I had a first bite of the Mumbai's favorite food item..."Vada Pao".I loved its spicy taste.I am amazed by the kindness of the old lady who told to pay the change later."She never saw me around....but how can she trust me".I payed the change next day.But it gave me an insight into morale of the city.I saw similar qualities in other shopkeepers.I felt, this is the quality that incessant work brings out of man. We 4 interns, joined by other 4 who live in Mumbai reported.We had one week time to learn about various departments of the factory and will be assigned projects later.We were given ID cards to get through the tight security. We were also told that there is a club for the company employees which could be used by the interns with a fee of Rs 20.The food is good and is very cheap.But the air is filled with rotten egg smell of dangerous CS2 gas.

We made a list of people to meet, who show us the various departments.The people in the company explained very passionately about what their department does. In spite of the hot and humid conditions, I liked the factory.The sunshine is less intense but caused a burning sensation when it falls of your skin.We used to sweat immediately after having a bath.Normally, I would have hated such a place to the core.But I loved to live in Mumbai.I faced a bit of difficulty when everyone around me spoke Hindi.My Hindi is OK....but I am not able to express my views fluently.My friends turned out to be super cool.At first, I had a feeling that they spend lavishly, but later felt that it is a must to enjoy and know more about this legendary city.I vow all my beautiful experiences to my friends as it was them, who dragged me out of my comfort zone and ignited a spirit of exploration.

We used to go to the company at 10:00 AM and know about a department,have our lunch,watch movies and start exploration.The club turned out to be the best feature of the company.They had library,Table tennis,Swimming Pool,Billiard balls, salsa(I didn't go as there is no girl) etc.We used to have our dinner there or go to some other place.We used to come back at 10 or 11 PM.We need drinking water and someone needs to bring it from ground floor.We used to play cards(judgement) and make the losers fill the bottles.We usually slept in the same room(though we were given 2) and luckily had an internal connection from behind and the other room has an attached bathroom.We used to barely meet the timings and often overshot them.The instructor didn't take it so seriously.I started to learn swimming in the club.Two of my friends accompanied me.Getting into water gave me a strange feeling.I am 6 foot and almost drowned in 3 foot depth...!!Slowly I learned swimming and jumping into water etc.It is a very good exercise.I had body pains on the day when I started actual swimming.

We used to regularly go to Mumbai on week ends and some times weekdays also....If there is some thing about Mumbai I can't forget apart from hot girls here, it is the rush in trains.They say,"The number of trains increases every year but the rush remains the same....Because it can't increase any further.A place to stand properly is like getting a seat here.They are not suffocating though.I loved the facilities made for the people using railways.Every station is well connected by buses and everyone follows certain discipline.Whether it is auto or bus,people stand in line for auto or a bus.The pool of autos or buses standing used to take the line what seem like half a kilometer in just 10 minutes.The auto drivers are fare in charging.We saw some films and visited 'R Mall' in Mulund.I never saw such malls before.They had different kinds of items and entertainments.The mall looked more beautiful with girls of such a beauty.They are like moving jewels and they are in equal numbers to men.

Roaming with my friend:
I went out with a friend of my college.We planned to visit all the famous places in Mumbai.The "Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus" itself is such a place.It looked like christian architecture in construction and was designed to withstand heavy rains with sloppy shapes at the top.The pillars looked as if they are carved out of a single rock.We saw "Flora Fountain","Gateway of India","Taj Hotel" near the sea with many big ships,Fashion Street","BSE" where the Economic Strength of India is determined.Finally, we reached "Marine drive" by the evening.We went on.....watching and complimenting hot girls and played some games at the beach.When the street lights were ON, I could make out a natural Necklace made by them with the see covered by land on 3 sides.

I visited Siddhi vinayaka temple in Dadar, as it is said to be the most famous temple in Mumbai.Dadar is the most busiest station of all.Because its the junction for the eastern and western railways.The temple has a tight security.The idol of Vinayaka is a part of the wall which is made in the shape of the lord.The idol is different from the idols I saw in Andhra Pradesh, Where the face looks like Indian elephant.While here, it looks like african elephant.I purchased a small idol of vinayaka.Later, I came to know that its an auspicious day to visit the temple of lord vinayaka.

Journey to Shiridi:
I went to Shiridi along with my friend.We started on a wet,sunny afternoon and the bus took us away from the city.The buildings and shops of the city slowly changed to countryside.The scenery started to turn more and more beautiful, I never saw such a green vegetation grown in such an ordered manner.Some sites looked more beautiful than any site shown in the films.My only worry was....the temperature began to drop.We moved up the mountains in spirals.We could see the rail tunnel and tracks, that were curved out into the mountain which was covered with greenery from middle to bottom.The top was covered by clouds and fog.
Next :Journey to Shiridi,Night life of Mumbai(Drink Party),Playing with children.

Memories of Childhood Education

Though I started my education in the village in a Telugu medium school and read till 2nd std, I was joined in an English medium school in UKG in "IDEAL PUBLIC SCHOOL" in Ongole.I started living with my parents rather than my grandparents.We went into a rent house with new neighbors.Joining a school made me realize that I was FAT and strong compared to many people of my age and all I remember about that school is having my own gang and being the best fighter of it.I used to win over 7th standard kids in fighting.For those who follow Harry Potter, I would say, I was like Dudley. The only difference is I didn't have the passion to hit people without a reason or make fun of them.Well I used to do some SHOW OFF though.... :)

Later I was joined in a school called "Ongole Public School". I didn't know at that time that it's going to play such a major role in my life.It is far bigger and better than my previous school in many respects.I stopped being a fight club member immediately after coming to the school.It is my own choice to stop fighting as it hurts me to see people getting hurt.I took some time to adjust to the new school but I got my best friend....!I still remember the fellow called "Karthik" and still think he was my closest friend. , and formed a group of three....Karthik, Me and Siddarth.We used to be a group who make significant noise and used to be rebellions at the school.This school has a huge play ground and 3 buses to drop the children at their homes. All the 3 of us used to be in the 2nd trip and used to have time to play in the school.But due to a stupid PT teacher who thought that children should study rather than play, we were forcibly made to sit in a corridor.And coming to studies.....I am not bad...I used to be in top 5 of  30 students.

As I said earlier, we were rebels of the class since we escaped the clutches of those 6th and 7th standard students(who were appointed to make us sit) and explored different places in the school to hide (except girls toilet). The place under the stairs leading to the hostel is one of my favorite.We used to tell stories and devise plans for making pacts with the class leader not to write our names when we make noise etc. One fine day in a cool evening when the buses took nearly half the strength of the school to leave them at their homes and when we are free from our usual hiding business as we are allowed to play that day, I saw a beautiful semi-circular arc of seven colors in the clear pale blue sky, which seemed to start from a place very close buy.....It is the best and memorable rainbow I have ever seen.My entire 1st standard was dominated by my friend and I don't remember anything other than him and those experiences.We were inseparable and often stood for each other.It went on and I thought "This is life". Then came the summer holidays.I was happy to go back to my village and play with the kids there.

Though I was brought up by my grandparents and shared a very happy childhood with them, I don't actually regretted leaving them.But felt happy to go back to the house in which I played.It might be due to the fact that my grandfather used to come daily....I played with my brother and other friends of my village for the entire summer.Cricket is our favorite game and we used to play in our house as it is very spacious.Then came the day when I need to rejoin the school....

I came to the school and sat in the class next to my previous class with the board(II class) above the door. I couldn't see my best friend.I think I don't know about being absent. I was told that he changed to some other school.It stuck me as a bolt from the blue.I sat in a bench crying alone... and didn't speak to anyone for some days.I didn't know that I would cry for him at some point of the year in every class for the rest of my schooling.

Later I got a new friend, a new join.He is a close friend, but not as close as Karthik.I think, my subconscious mind made a note, not to allow any one as close as him.I would say it succeeded so far.....In the school bus,I was usual target for many seniors as I was very fat.They gave me a name "Hippo" and my brother "Rhino".I don't care about those comments.They are not exactly sarcastic.I got used to it and we became good friends.I met a monkey faced new student in the bus.I had no idea that he would come this long and be one of my close friends.And in the evenings, I used to have a tussle with one of my classmates over the seat as we both have brothers and one of them used to keep the seat in the bus and other occupied it.....As I said before I was fat  but didn't like to hit anyone unless they make the first move.In my 3rd standard I met just the guy.He was our senior and failed in the class,so left behind.I used to have some nice fights with him as he often messed with me.I had many friends but particularly one girl used to be very close.She used to beat me and play around etc.I didn't much pain as long as she started pinching me.She is a very bright student(used to be 1 rank above me) and used to have some charisma to turn the teachers around her.

I distinctly remember one day when this girl told to our social sir named "Srinivas" that I won't experience any pain.I told that I actually do.But he wanted to test it.I am not used to crying for physical injury and I didn't shout out my pain.I was beaten pretty badly that day.I didn't even complain about him at home.But my mother saw the marks where my blood clotted and complaint went to the school secretary.As my grandfather was furious about that, and he happens to know the secretary well,that sir faced the peril of getting removed from job.He later came and explained that "I was JOVIAL with you so that you won't have fear to ask doubts....... I started to hate this fellow to the core as he was not good at teaching not in character.

From the third class, we were taken to the big ground for prayer.This is how the day started at school.I used to hate exercise but used to play with friends.We used to pray for a teacher to be absent so that we can play.And I hated one more PT sir as he is very partial to girls and didn't allow our class to play.School days used to be a lot of fun.....We used to have Teachers day,Children's day,Independence day,Annual day and many more days......I like Annual day and Teachers day the most.Because 10th class students used to come to classes as teachers(in saris and coats) and we used to have entire day of fun.The annual day is the best part  because our classes stand suspended for almost a month and we are free to play.....:)

 As I grew up, I focused a bit more on education because it turned out to be interesting.History is like a story for me.Physics was not that interesting with measurements and levers.Chemistry is interesting but I lack the intellect to question the theories and hence I kept listening to whatever they say.The most interesting subject is biology.It may partially be due to the teacher who told and partially due to the fact that it deals with living organisms and their internal structure. 

It goes on..............

The people who influenced my life

I strongly believe that the parents and culture play a major role in the upbringing of a new child.But I do agree that they are not responsible for the complete character of any individual.Each one sees the world through his own eyes.Each one makes his own perception of the things around.Some one rightly said "When brains are different, the thoughts are bound to be different".

I spent my childhood in a small village with my grandparents.When I look back now, all I remember was them but not my mother or father.I have this feeling that I am too mature for a child even at that point of time.I was not mischievous and it only took one word to explain me the situation.I hated to listen to the gossip of women when they come to our home.It didn't make any sense.But my grandparents told me that I myself was very talkative and used to reveal all their secret scoldings to the exact person who shouldn't know....!!!

  My GRANDFATHER

He is my strongest supporter and the head of the house.He is the one who used to save me when my grandmother tried to force feed me.We used to place our cots in the veranda, exposing ourselves to the moon light and clear cool breeze of the countryside.When I didn't know that there are some things called countries where they speak a language other than what I grew up speaking, I wouldn't have believed at that point of time that It rains at some places while it doesn't rain at others.I used to lie besides him and listen to his stories of animals and angels.He used to tell the stories from Hindu mythology.The two major epics.....Ramayana and Mahabharata.I vow my knowledge about these to him.He stopped telling these stories when my brother joined me and started snoring whenever these epic topics came.....!!!His stories on education were one of my favorites.He used to inspire me with his stories of people who studied hard and succeeded in life.He used to speak very highly about the post of "COLLECTOR" .But I never really understood what the collector does.He used to speak about the importance of various virtues and made me understand them through stories.He used the same medium to make me understand the bad qualities and consequences that people would face by following them.

My GRANDMOTHER

She is a typical Indian housewife of those days.She used to be busy with her household works.She doesn't have any knowledge or intellect to feed to me.All that she has for me is love.....My reluctance to eat was one of her major worries.It is what she ultimately cares for.She took me to rounds around the village and showed me the cattle and fields just to make me swallow a mouthful of food.I used to know almost the entire village by names and used to visit some of them quiet regularly.

As I said in the starting, that family and culture play a major, but not complete role in development of any individual, I would say they influence an individual up to 80%.The rest belongs to the individual.As I said, I was unique in my own way, I was not mischievous but stubborn.I hated useless gossip of women but used to pester them with questions of "WHAT,WHY and HOW" things happen.