A bus driver went to the bus garage, started his bus, and drove off along
the route. Few people got on , a few got off, and things went generally
well.
At the next stop, however, a big hulk of a guy got on. Six feet eight,
built like a wrestler, arms hanging down to the ground. He glared at the
driver and said,"Big John doesnt pay!" and sat down at the back
Did we mention that the driver was five feet three, thin, and basically
meek? Well, he was. Naturally, he didnt argue with Big John, but he wasnt
happy about it.
The next day the same thing happened-and the next day, and the one after
that, and so forth. This grated on the bus driver, who started losing sleep
over the way Big John was taking advantage of him.
Finally he could stand it no longer. He signed up for a body building
courses, karate, Judo, and all that good stuff. By the end of summer, he
had become quite strong;whats more, he felt really felt good about himself.
So on the next Monday, when Big John got on the bus and said, "Big John
doesnt pay!" the driver stood up, glared back at the passenger, and
screamed, "And why not?"
With a surprised look on his face, Big John replied, " Because Big John has
a bus pass".
Be sure there is a problem in the first place before working hard to solve
one.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Friday, November 21, 2008
Foot Prints in the sand
One night I had a dream.
I was walking along the beach with God,
and across the skies flashed scenes
from my life. In each scene,
I noticed two sets of foot prints in
the sand and to my surprise, I noticed that
many times, along the path of my life,
there was only one set of foot prints. And
I noticed that it was at the lowest
and saddest times in my life. I
asked God about it: "God, you said
that once I decided to follow you, you
would walk with me all the way.
But I notice during the most
troublesome times in my life, there is
only one set of foot prints. I dont
understand why you left my side when
I needed you most". God said:"My
precious child, I never left you during
your time of trial. Where you see only one
set of foot prints, I was carrying you"
I was walking along the beach with God,
and across the skies flashed scenes
from my life. In each scene,
I noticed two sets of foot prints in
the sand and to my surprise, I noticed that
many times, along the path of my life,
there was only one set of foot prints. And
I noticed that it was at the lowest
and saddest times in my life. I
asked God about it: "God, you said
that once I decided to follow you, you
would walk with me all the way.
But I notice during the most
troublesome times in my life, there is
only one set of foot prints. I dont
understand why you left my side when
I needed you most". God said:"My
precious child, I never left you during
your time of trial. Where you see only one
set of foot prints, I was carrying you"
Monday, November 17, 2008
VERY INSPIRING - A Letter to Every Indian - APJ
DR. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam 's Speech in Hyderabad .
Why is the media here so negative?
Why are we in India so embarrassed to recognize our own strengths, our achievements?
We are such a great nation. We have so many amazing success stories but we refuse to acknowledge them. Why?
We are the first in milk production.
We are number one in Remote sensing satellites.
We are the second largest producer of wheat.
We are the second largest producer of rice.
Look at Dr. Sudarshan , he has transferred the tribal village into a self-sustaining, self-driving unit. There are millions of such achievements but our media is only obsessed in the bad news and failures and disasters.
I was in Tel Aviv once and I was reading the Israeli newspaper. It was the day after a lot of attacks and bombardments and deaths had taken place. The Hamas had struck. But the front page of the newspaper had the picture of a Jewish gentleman who in five years had transformed his desert into an orchid and a granary. It was this inspiring picture that everyone woke up to. The gory details of killings, bombardments, deaths, were inside in the newspaper, buried among other news.
In India we only read about death, sickness, terrorism, crime.. Why are we so NEGATIVE? Another question: Why are we, as a nation so obsessed with foreign things? We want foreign T.Vs, we want foreign shirts. We want foreign technology.
Why this obsession with everything imported. Do we not realize that self-respect comes with self-reliance? I was in Hyderabad giving this lecture, when a 14 year old girl asked me for my autograph. I asked her what her goal in life is. She replied: I want to live in a developed India . For her, you and I will have to build this developed India . You must proclaim. India is not an under-developed nation; it is a highly developed nation.
Do you have 10 minutes? Allow me to come back with a vengeance.
Got 10 minutes for your country? If yes, then read; otherwise, choice is yours.
YOU say that our government is inefficient.
YOU say that our laws are too old.
YOU say that the municipality does not pick up the garbage.
YOU say that the phones don't work, the railways are a joke. The airline is the worst in the world, mails never reach their destination.
YOU say that our country has been fed to the dogs and is the absolute pits.
YOU say, say and say. What do YOU do about it?
Take a person on his way to Singapore . Give him a name - 'YOURS'. Give him a face - 'YOURS'. YOU walk out of the airport and you are at your International best. In Singapore you don't throw cigarette butts on the roads or eat in the stores. YOU are as proud of their Underground links as they are. You pay $5 (approx. Rs. 60) to drive through Orchard Road (equivalent of Mahim Causeway or Pedder Road) between 5 PM and 8 PM. YOU come back to the parking lot to punch your parking ticket if you have over stayed in a restaurant or a shopping mall irrespective of your status identity… In Singapore you don't say anything, DO YOU? YOU wouldn't dare to eat in public during Ramadan, in Dubai . YOU would not dare to go out without your head covered in Jeddah.
YOU would not dare to buy an employee of the telephone exchange in London at 10 pounds (Rs.650) a month to, 'see to it that my STD and ISD calls are billed to someone else..'YOU would not dare to speed beyond 55 mph (88 km/h) in Washington and then tell the traffic cop, 'Jaanta hai main kaun hoon (Do you know who I am?). I am so and so's son. Take your two bucks and get lost.' YOU wouldn't chuck an empty coconut shell anywhere other than the garbage pail on the beaches in Australia and New Zealand .
Why don't YOU spit Paan on the streets of Tokyo ? Why don't YOU use examination jockeys or buy fake certificates in Boston ??? We are still talking of the same YOU. YOU who can respect and conform to a foreign system in other countries but cannot in your own. You who will throw papers and cigarettes on the road the moment you touch Indian ground. If you can be an involved and appreciative citizen in an alien country, why cannot you be the same here in India ?
In America every dog owner has to clean up after his pet has done the job. Same in Japan .
Will the Indian citizen do that here?' He's right. We go to the polls to choose a government and after that forfeit all responsibility.
We sit back wanting to be pampered and expect the government to do everything for us whilst our contribution is totally negative. We expect the government to clean up but we are not going to stop chucking garbage all over the place nor are we going to stop to pick a up a stray piece of paper and throw it in the bin. We expect the railways to provide clean bathrooms but we are not going to learn the proper use of bathrooms.
We want Indian Airlines and Air India to provide the best of food and toiletries but we are not going to stop pilfering at the least opportunity.
This applies even to the staff who is known not to pass on the service to the public.
When it comes to burning social issues like those related to women, dowry, girl child! and others, we make loud drawing room protestations and continue to do the reverse at home. Our excuse? 'It's the whole system which has to change, how will it matter if I alone forego my sons' rights to a dowry.' So who's going to change the system?
What does a system consist of? Very conveniently for us it consists of our neighbours, other households, other cities, other communities and the government. But definitely not me and YOU. When it comes to us actually making a positive contribution to the system we lock ourselves along with our families into a safe cocoon and look into the distance at countries far away and wait for a Mr.Clean to come along & work miracles for us with a majestic sweep of his hand or we leave the country and run away.
Like lazy cowards hounded by our fears we run to America to bask in their glory and praise their system.. When New York becomes insecure we run to England . When England experiences unemployment, we take the next flight out to the Gulf. When the Gulf is war struck, we demand to be rescued and brought home by the Indian government. Everybody is out to abuse and rape the country. Nobody thinks of feeding the system. Our conscience is mortgaged to money.
Dear Indians, The article is highly thought inductive, calls for a great deal of introspection and pricks one's conscience too…. I am echoing J. F. Kennedy's words to his fellow Americans to relate to Indians…..
'ASK WHAT WE CAN DO FOR INDIA AND DO WHAT HAS TO BE DONE TO MAKE INDIA WHAT AMERICA AND OTHER WESTERN COUNTRIES ARE TODAY'
Lets do what India needs from us.
Thank you,
Dr. Abdul Kalam
I humbly request you to forward this to every Indian…… ……… ……… …
Why is the media here so negative?
Why are we in India so embarrassed to recognize our own strengths, our achievements?
We are such a great nation. We have so many amazing success stories but we refuse to acknowledge them. Why?
We are the first in milk production.
We are number one in Remote sensing satellites.
We are the second largest producer of wheat.
We are the second largest producer of rice.
Look at Dr. Sudarshan , he has transferred the tribal village into a self-sustaining, self-driving unit. There are millions of such achievements but our media is only obsessed in the bad news and failures and disasters.
I was in Tel Aviv once and I was reading the Israeli newspaper. It was the day after a lot of attacks and bombardments and deaths had taken place. The Hamas had struck. But the front page of the newspaper had the picture of a Jewish gentleman who in five years had transformed his desert into an orchid and a granary. It was this inspiring picture that everyone woke up to. The gory details of killings, bombardments, deaths, were inside in the newspaper, buried among other news.
In India we only read about death, sickness, terrorism, crime.. Why are we so NEGATIVE? Another question: Why are we, as a nation so obsessed with foreign things? We want foreign T.Vs, we want foreign shirts. We want foreign technology.
Why this obsession with everything imported. Do we not realize that self-respect comes with self-reliance? I was in Hyderabad giving this lecture, when a 14 year old girl asked me for my autograph. I asked her what her goal in life is. She replied: I want to live in a developed India . For her, you and I will have to build this developed India . You must proclaim. India is not an under-developed nation; it is a highly developed nation.
Do you have 10 minutes? Allow me to come back with a vengeance.
Got 10 minutes for your country? If yes, then read; otherwise, choice is yours.
YOU say that our government is inefficient.
YOU say that our laws are too old.
YOU say that the municipality does not pick up the garbage.
YOU say that the phones don't work, the railways are a joke. The airline is the worst in the world, mails never reach their destination.
YOU say that our country has been fed to the dogs and is the absolute pits.
YOU say, say and say. What do YOU do about it?
Take a person on his way to Singapore . Give him a name - 'YOURS'. Give him a face - 'YOURS'. YOU walk out of the airport and you are at your International best. In Singapore you don't throw cigarette butts on the roads or eat in the stores. YOU are as proud of their Underground links as they are. You pay $5 (approx. Rs. 60) to drive through Orchard Road (equivalent of Mahim Causeway or Pedder Road) between 5 PM and 8 PM. YOU come back to the parking lot to punch your parking ticket if you have over stayed in a restaurant or a shopping mall irrespective of your status identity… In Singapore you don't say anything, DO YOU? YOU wouldn't dare to eat in public during Ramadan, in Dubai . YOU would not dare to go out without your head covered in Jeddah.
YOU would not dare to buy an employee of the telephone exchange in London at 10 pounds (Rs.650) a month to, 'see to it that my STD and ISD calls are billed to someone else..'YOU would not dare to speed beyond 55 mph (88 km/h) in Washington and then tell the traffic cop, 'Jaanta hai main kaun hoon (Do you know who I am?). I am so and so's son. Take your two bucks and get lost.' YOU wouldn't chuck an empty coconut shell anywhere other than the garbage pail on the beaches in Australia and New Zealand .
Why don't YOU spit Paan on the streets of Tokyo ? Why don't YOU use examination jockeys or buy fake certificates in Boston ??? We are still talking of the same YOU. YOU who can respect and conform to a foreign system in other countries but cannot in your own. You who will throw papers and cigarettes on the road the moment you touch Indian ground. If you can be an involved and appreciative citizen in an alien country, why cannot you be the same here in India ?
In America every dog owner has to clean up after his pet has done the job. Same in Japan .
Will the Indian citizen do that here?' He's right. We go to the polls to choose a government and after that forfeit all responsibility.
We sit back wanting to be pampered and expect the government to do everything for us whilst our contribution is totally negative. We expect the government to clean up but we are not going to stop chucking garbage all over the place nor are we going to stop to pick a up a stray piece of paper and throw it in the bin. We expect the railways to provide clean bathrooms but we are not going to learn the proper use of bathrooms.
We want Indian Airlines and Air India to provide the best of food and toiletries but we are not going to stop pilfering at the least opportunity.
This applies even to the staff who is known not to pass on the service to the public.
When it comes to burning social issues like those related to women, dowry, girl child! and others, we make loud drawing room protestations and continue to do the reverse at home. Our excuse? 'It's the whole system which has to change, how will it matter if I alone forego my sons' rights to a dowry.' So who's going to change the system?
What does a system consist of? Very conveniently for us it consists of our neighbours, other households, other cities, other communities and the government. But definitely not me and YOU. When it comes to us actually making a positive contribution to the system we lock ourselves along with our families into a safe cocoon and look into the distance at countries far away and wait for a Mr.Clean to come along & work miracles for us with a majestic sweep of his hand or we leave the country and run away.
Like lazy cowards hounded by our fears we run to America to bask in their glory and praise their system.. When New York becomes insecure we run to England . When England experiences unemployment, we take the next flight out to the Gulf. When the Gulf is war struck, we demand to be rescued and brought home by the Indian government. Everybody is out to abuse and rape the country. Nobody thinks of feeding the system. Our conscience is mortgaged to money.
Dear Indians, The article is highly thought inductive, calls for a great deal of introspection and pricks one's conscience too…. I am echoing J. F. Kennedy's words to his fellow Americans to relate to Indians…..
'ASK WHAT WE CAN DO FOR INDIA AND DO WHAT HAS TO BE DONE TO MAKE INDIA WHAT AMERICA AND OTHER WESTERN COUNTRIES ARE TODAY'
Lets do what India needs from us.
Thank you,
Dr. Abdul Kalam
I humbly request you to forward this to every Indian…… ……… ……… …
Friday, November 14, 2008
I will treat people with RESPECT and dignity
One night, at 11.30 PM, an African American women was standing on the side
of an Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing rainstorm. Her car had
broken down and she desperately needed a ride. Soaking wet, she decided to
flag down the next car.
A young white man stopped to help her, generally unheard of in those
conflict-filled 1960s. The man took her safely, helped her get assistance
and her into a taxi cab. She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down
his address and thanked him.
Seven days went by and a knock came on the man’s door. To his surprise, a
nice bunch of flowers was delivered to his home. A special note was
attached. It read:”Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the
other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes, but also my spirits.
Then you came along. Because of your unbiased respect and care, I was able
to make it to my dying husband’s bedside just before he passed away. God
bless you. Sincerely, Mrs. NatKing Cole.”
of an Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing rainstorm. Her car had
broken down and she desperately needed a ride. Soaking wet, she decided to
flag down the next car.
A young white man stopped to help her, generally unheard of in those
conflict-filled 1960s. The man took her safely, helped her get assistance
and her into a taxi cab. She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down
his address and thanked him.
Seven days went by and a knock came on the man’s door. To his surprise, a
nice bunch of flowers was delivered to his home. A special note was
attached. It read:”Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the
other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes, but also my spirits.
Then you came along. Because of your unbiased respect and care, I was able
to make it to my dying husband’s bedside just before he passed away. God
bless you. Sincerely, Mrs. NatKing Cole.”
Thursday, October 23, 2008
SELF CONFIDENCE IS KEY OF SUCCESS
A business executive was deep in debt and could see no way out. Creditors were closing in on him. Suppliers were demanding payment. He sat on the park bench, head in hands, wondering if anything could save his company from bankruptcy.
Suddenly an old man appeared before him. "I can see that something is troubling you," he said. After listening to the executive's woes, the old man said, "I believe I can help you."
SELF CONFIDENCE
He wrote out a check, and said, "Take this money. Meet me here exactly one year from today, and you can pay me back at that time.“
The business executive saw in his hand a check for $500,000, signed by John D. Rockefeller, then one of the richest men in the world! "I can erase my money worries in an instant!" he realized. But instead, the executive decided to put the uncashed check in his safe. Just knowing it was there might give him the strength to work out a way to save his business, he thought.
With renewed optimism, he negotiated better deals and extended terms of payment. He closed several big sales. Within a few months, he was out of debt and making money once again.
Exactly one year later, he returned to the park with the uncashed check. At the agreed-upon time, the old man appeared. But just as the executive was about to hand back the check and share his success story, a nurse came running up and grabbed the old man.
"I'm so glad I caught him!" she cried. "I hope he hasn't been bothering you. He's always escaping from the rest home and telling people he's John D. Rockefeller."
And she led the old man away by the arm.
The astonished executive just stood there, stunned. Suddenly, he realized that it wasn't the money, real or imagined, that had turned his life around. It was his newfound self-confidence that gave him the power to achieve anything he went after
MORAL OF THE STORY: "SELF CONFIDENCE IS KEY OF SUCCESS"
Suddenly an old man appeared before him. "I can see that something is troubling you," he said. After listening to the executive's woes, the old man said, "I believe I can help you."
SELF CONFIDENCE
He wrote out a check, and said, "Take this money. Meet me here exactly one year from today, and you can pay me back at that time.“
The business executive saw in his hand a check for $500,000, signed by John D. Rockefeller, then one of the richest men in the world! "I can erase my money worries in an instant!" he realized. But instead, the executive decided to put the uncashed check in his safe. Just knowing it was there might give him the strength to work out a way to save his business, he thought.
With renewed optimism, he negotiated better deals and extended terms of payment. He closed several big sales. Within a few months, he was out of debt and making money once again.
Exactly one year later, he returned to the park with the uncashed check. At the agreed-upon time, the old man appeared. But just as the executive was about to hand back the check and share his success story, a nurse came running up and grabbed the old man.
"I'm so glad I caught him!" she cried. "I hope he hasn't been bothering you. He's always escaping from the rest home and telling people he's John D. Rockefeller."
And she led the old man away by the arm.
The astonished executive just stood there, stunned. Suddenly, he realized that it wasn't the money, real or imagined, that had turned his life around. It was his newfound self-confidence that gave him the power to achieve anything he went after
MORAL OF THE STORY: "SELF CONFIDENCE IS KEY OF SUCCESS"
Boss is Great!!!!!- True story
There were about 70 scientists working on a very hectic project. All of them were really frustrated due to the pressure of work and the demands of their boss but everyone was loyal to him and did not think of quitting the job.
One day, one scientist came to his boss and told him - Sir, I have promised to my children that I will take them to the exhibition going on in our township. So I want to leave the office at 5 : 30 pm.
His boss replied "OK, You're permitted to leave the office early today"
The Scientist started working. He continued his work after lunch.
As usual he got involved to such an extent that he looked at his watch when he felt he was close to completion.The time was 8.30 PM. Suddenly he remembered of the promise he had given to his children.
He looked for his boss,,He was not there. Having told him in the morning itself, he closed everything and left for home.
Deep within himself, he was feeling guilty for having disappointed his children.
He reached home. Children were not there.His wife alone was sitting in the hall and reading magazines.
The situation was explosive, any talk would boomerang on him. His wife asked him "Would you like to have coffee or shall I straight away serve dinner if you are hungry.
The man replied "If you would like to have coffee, i too will have but what about Children ??"
Wife replied "You don't know ?? Your manager came here at 5.15 PM and has taken the children to the exhibition "
What had really happened was ... The boss who granted him permission was observing him working seriously at 5.00 PM. He thought to himself, this person will not leave the work, but if he has promised his children they should enjoy the visit to exhibition. So he took the lead in taking them to exhibition
The boss does not have to do it everytime. But once it is done, loyalty is established.
That is why all the scientists at Thumba continued to work under their boss even though the stress was tremendous. By the way , can you guess as to who the boss was..?
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He was none other than Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam
One day, one scientist came to his boss and told him - Sir, I have promised to my children that I will take them to the exhibition going on in our township. So I want to leave the office at 5 : 30 pm.
His boss replied "OK, You're permitted to leave the office early today"
The Scientist started working. He continued his work after lunch.
As usual he got involved to such an extent that he looked at his watch when he felt he was close to completion.The time was 8.30 PM. Suddenly he remembered of the promise he had given to his children.
He looked for his boss,,He was not there. Having told him in the morning itself, he closed everything and left for home.
Deep within himself, he was feeling guilty for having disappointed his children.
He reached home. Children were not there.His wife alone was sitting in the hall and reading magazines.
The situation was explosive, any talk would boomerang on him. His wife asked him "Would you like to have coffee or shall I straight away serve dinner if you are hungry.
The man replied "If you would like to have coffee, i too will have but what about Children ??"
Wife replied "You don't know ?? Your manager came here at 5.15 PM and has taken the children to the exhibition "
What had really happened was ... The boss who granted him permission was observing him working seriously at 5.00 PM. He thought to himself, this person will not leave the work, but if he has promised his children they should enjoy the visit to exhibition. So he took the lead in taking them to exhibition
The boss does not have to do it everytime. But once it is done, loyalty is established.
That is why all the scientists at Thumba continued to work under their boss even though the stress was tremendous. By the way , can you guess as to who the boss was..?
.....
.....
.....
.....
.....
.....
.....
.....
.....
.....
.....
.....
.....
.....
.....
.....
.....
.....
.....
.....
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He was none other than Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam
'was all this worth it? '
As the dream of most parents I had acquired a degree in software Engineer
and joined a company based in USA, the land of braves and opportunity.
When I arrived in the USA, it was as if a dream had come true. Here at last
I was in the place where I wanted to be. I decided I would be staying in
this country for about Five years in which time I would have earned enough
money to settle down in India.
My father was a government employee and after his retirement, the only
asset he could acquire was a decent one bedroom flat. I wanted to do some
thing more than him. I started feeling homesick and lonely as the time
passed. I used to call home and speak to my parents every week using
cheap international phone cards.
Two years passed, two years of Burgers at McDonald's and pizzas and discos
and 2 years watching the foreign exchange rate getting happy whenever the
Rupee value went down. Finally I decided to get married. Told my parents
that I have only 10 days of holidays and everything must be done within
these 10 days.
I got my ticket booked in the cheapest flight. Was jubilant an was
actually enjoying shopping for gifts for all my relatives and friends back
home.
If I miss anyone then there will be talks. After reaching home I spent
home one week going through all the photographs of girls and as the time
was getting shorter I was forced to select one candidate. In-laws told
me, to my surprise, that I would have to get married in 2-3 days, as I
will not get anymore holidays soon and they cannot wait for long.
After the marriage, it was time to return to USA, after giving some money
to my pare! nts and telling the neighbors to look after them, we (I was
lucky and managed to get the visa of my wife early) returned to USA.
My wife enjoyed this country for about two months and then she started
feeling lonely. The frequency of calling India increased to twice in a
week sometimes 3 times a week as she also has to call her parents. Our
savings started diminishing. After two more years we started to have
kids.Two lovely kids, a boy and a girl, were gifted to us by the almighty.
Every time I spoke to my parents, they asked me to come to India so that
they can see their grand-children. Every year I decide to go to India. But
part work, part monetary conditions prevented it. Years went by and
visiting Indiawas a distant dream.Then suddenly one day I got a message
that my parents were seriously sick. I tried but I couldn't get any
holidays and was stuck up in the procedures
and thus could not go to India. The next message I got was my parents were
passed away and as there was no one to do the last rites the society
members had done whatever they could. I was depressed. My parents passed
away without seeing their grand children.
After couple more years passed away, much to my children's dislike and my
wife's joy we returned to India to settle down.I started to look for a
suitable property, but to my dismay my savings were short and the property
prices had gone up during all these years. I had to return to the USA. My
wife refused to come back with me and my children refused to stay in
India. My 2 children and I returned to USA after promising my wife I
would be back for good after two years.
Time passed by, my daughter decided to get married to an American and my
son was happy living in USA. I decided! that enough is enough and
wound-up every thing and returned to India. I had just enough money to buy
a decent Two-be droom flat in a well! -developed locality. Now I am 60
years old and the only time I go out of the flat is for the routine visit
to the nearby place of worship. My faithful wife has also left me and
gone to the holy abode.
Sometimes I wondered was it worth all this? My father, even after staying
in India, had a house to his name and I too have the same, nothing more. I
lost my parents and children for just ONE EXTRA BEDROOM.
Looking out from the window I see a lot of children dancing. This damned
cable TV has spoiled our new generation and these children are losing
their values and culture because of it. I get occasional cards from my
children asking I am alright.
Well at least they remember me. Now perhaps after I die it will be the
neighbors again who will be performing my last rites, God Bless them.
But the question still remains 'was all this worth it? '
I am still searching for an answer................
and joined a company based in USA, the land of braves and opportunity.
When I arrived in the USA, it was as if a dream had come true. Here at last
I was in the place where I wanted to be. I decided I would be staying in
this country for about Five years in which time I would have earned enough
money to settle down in India.
My father was a government employee and after his retirement, the only
asset he could acquire was a decent one bedroom flat. I wanted to do some
thing more than him. I started feeling homesick and lonely as the time
passed. I used to call home and speak to my parents every week using
cheap international phone cards.
Two years passed, two years of Burgers at McDonald's and pizzas and discos
and 2 years watching the foreign exchange rate getting happy whenever the
Rupee value went down. Finally I decided to get married. Told my parents
that I have only 10 days of holidays and everything must be done within
these 10 days.
I got my ticket booked in the cheapest flight. Was jubilant an was
actually enjoying shopping for gifts for all my relatives and friends back
home.
If I miss anyone then there will be talks. After reaching home I spent
home one week going through all the photographs of girls and as the time
was getting shorter I was forced to select one candidate. In-laws told
me, to my surprise, that I would have to get married in 2-3 days, as I
will not get anymore holidays soon and they cannot wait for long.
After the marriage, it was time to return to USA, after giving some money
to my pare! nts and telling the neighbors to look after them, we (I was
lucky and managed to get the visa of my wife early) returned to USA.
My wife enjoyed this country for about two months and then she started
feeling lonely. The frequency of calling India increased to twice in a
week sometimes 3 times a week as she also has to call her parents. Our
savings started diminishing. After two more years we started to have
kids.Two lovely kids, a boy and a girl, were gifted to us by the almighty.
Every time I spoke to my parents, they asked me to come to India so that
they can see their grand-children. Every year I decide to go to India. But
part work, part monetary conditions prevented it. Years went by and
visiting Indiawas a distant dream.Then suddenly one day I got a message
that my parents were seriously sick. I tried but I couldn't get any
holidays and was stuck up in the procedures
and thus could not go to India. The next message I got was my parents were
passed away and as there was no one to do the last rites the society
members had done whatever they could. I was depressed. My parents passed
away without seeing their grand children.
After couple more years passed away, much to my children's dislike and my
wife's joy we returned to India to settle down.I started to look for a
suitable property, but to my dismay my savings were short and the property
prices had gone up during all these years. I had to return to the USA. My
wife refused to come back with me and my children refused to stay in
India. My 2 children and I returned to USA after promising my wife I
would be back for good after two years.
Time passed by, my daughter decided to get married to an American and my
son was happy living in USA. I decided! that enough is enough and
wound-up every thing and returned to India. I had just enough money to buy
a decent Two-be droom flat in a well! -developed locality. Now I am 60
years old and the only time I go out of the flat is for the routine visit
to the nearby place of worship. My faithful wife has also left me and
gone to the holy abode.
Sometimes I wondered was it worth all this? My father, even after staying
in India, had a house to his name and I too have the same, nothing more. I
lost my parents and children for just ONE EXTRA BEDROOM.
Looking out from the window I see a lot of children dancing. This damned
cable TV has spoiled our new generation and these children are losing
their values and culture because of it. I get occasional cards from my
children asking I am alright.
Well at least they remember me. Now perhaps after I die it will be the
neighbors again who will be performing my last rites, God Bless them.
But the question still remains 'was all this worth it? '
I am still searching for an answer................
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