Paradox of abundance and scarcity

Hi I am back after September! All this while when Delhi and India as such has been busy finding answers to many a puzzling destabilising questions, I have been listening, and well thinking too at times. Ours is a land of paradoxes. One I experienced today. After many years I was excited to be taking one of those jerky low floor DTC buses. I had to go to Sarojini Nagar, my second visit there to be frank (had never been there before not even in my college days) and came to know the Metro goes there too. But since the bus stop was convenient I was all for it. The bus number my friend told me was 615. My eyes got tired seeing so many of number 522 and 450, most of those empty one after another, but no 615 for about half an hour. I was giving up hope, but it came and I was told by some people perhaps seeing the anxiety on my face that the service of this bus is very slow and erratic. I experienced the same on the return time after my short shopping spree of curtains from the SN market. This time my patience was less, and I opted for an auto. But not before confirming from some people waiting for the rare 615, that the frequency of this bus was indeed slow.  When one comes it is followed by two or three sometimes and then a long no show. Here too I saw about five Bus no. 544 in ten minutes. No takers though. Delhi please rise to the needful! Listen to what people have to say and need. So much but so less for genuine seekers.

25 paise wise

The now defunct 25 paise

As soon as I heard about the expiring coin, I shared with my mother in law who happened to sit there in front of the TV when I heard the news in between her direct telecast from the Gurudwaras which she is almost always seeing. She had offered the remote to me as she does sometimes out of ther goodness and realizing that there is more to this world than the kirtans. I too shared the breaking news knowing very well that she may be having some coins in her closet. She told me she had a bundle full of those, alongwith the 1 rupee, five rupee, ten rupee, twenty and so on  note stacks as a token of the memories of her late husband. I suggested she take out the 25 paise coins so that we dispose off some. So wise was her response, “who will take these, let it be.” I was amazed at her practical approach. Will convince her to take out any 50 paise or one rupee coins/notes to use (with the blessings of my dear departed father in law surely) before they become a thing of the past too. She is rich 25 paise wise without any regrets of the uselessness of one of the bundles she had been guarding for so many years.

Never felt so bad before for material things

But I am good at consoling myself with solid points. Like had I got the stuff, I would have slept so blissfully not wanting to get up so many times. It would have made me miss work, or worse still made me miss sending my son off to school on time, and much more. So “good” I didn’t win that bid for those springy comfy almost new soft pairs of mattresses in my first ever auction bid. What I didn’t realize at the right bidding time was that it was worth much more. And I knew it too. Just that this was an example of how things turn out if you don’t even give half a minute to pray or ask for some wisdom from the powers above or within you. It was so near and easy to get.  Just that lack of practical wisdom for oneself.  Well on my way home today I saw a few poor people on the road divider pavement, lying on the bare ground. I plan to buy a few sheets if not a soft mattress for some.  And when I have time and enough money to spare, will go in for what I missed getting myself.

Lights all over

Green and fresh

Delhi looks so bright and nice. Driving past India Gate last night was different. The grass too looks greener. Paradox though, so much power going waste as a couple of friends put it. But Delhi is not always so extravagant. One can pamper when visitors are around. So much going on, all should go just very well. Delhi we are proud of you, and hope to be always. The inauguration today was meticulous. Only the Pakistan team faltered a little when it was their turn to be introduced to the cheering crowds. But can give them too a benefit of doubt.

No floods please

The threat is real. Waters are high. My son went late evening to Noida by Metro and shares that the waters were real wild, and were about the level of the Metro bridge. It’s a wise thing that the media is no more sensationalizing the situation and only giving running text reports. 

Reminds me of the Mumbai attacks when the media went on and on showing tidbits that made no sense and did no good for the security of our country. Some people had to call the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to stand up and take control, which they did a bit late though. 

At this time one needs updates to advice people to avoid certain flood prone areas. And Delhi needs some prayers too. Floods uproot, so let your prayers shoot.  O Delhi be safe, healthy and cause no misery with the flood’s flurry. God’s support be there as the Government takes control over the situation; may more of us have the will to volunteer to help the flood affected people. We could contribute with food, safe drinking water, our time that’s the rarest thing to provide service in any other ways possible. Let’s rise in case there are floods.

All is well and should be so

The fear of yamuna waters flooding parts of Delhi made me drive down to my mother’s house in one of the areas announced in TV repeatedly yesterday and day before. So much anxiety of an impending flood. Let’s hope there isn’t any ever! Delhi cannot take it. Few hours ago TV flashes the update that the waters are expected to reach today (Sept. 10) evening. It was announced to be reaching Delhi September 9 earlier. So had made the hurried plan to go drop some goodies and ration supply, what if there’s water all around? Hope never ever. Delhi be safe. With upcoming festivities of Eid let there be just happiness and calm. Eid Mubarak Delhi!

Kudos to Rahul Gandhi

For those who saw Rahul picking up waste paper and taking it  all the way to its destination – the dustbin! What a view, what a deed in the midst of all the security and manpower who could have done the menial task for him. Made me wonder for a while if it was some sort of publicity stunt. No my heart said no- it was the genuine act of a great balanced human being, a potential leader, rather a mature leader!

Keep inspiring the youth and for that matter all Indians Rahul. We are proud of you young man.