An outside visit...

What do you do while waiting at a hospital?

There's not much you can do though but here, I am writing this post!

I am at a hospital with papa for his cataract surgery. After an hour of waiting, looking at nurses and doctors scroll, other attendants sitting at a distance, I thought I'd rather use this time constructively.

Brother had accompanied papa to the hospital in the morning, I came in later and he left. When I entered the building, it looked like a scene I have never witnessed at hospitals earlier.

After a being greeted with sanitizer and a thermo check, I decided to take the stairs instead of the elevator. I stood in front of a completely deserted first floor with no patients, attenders, nurses or doctors.

I was asked to take the lift by a nurse who was going up herself "but let the attendant already with the patient come down and only then can you go up" she remarked cautioning.

I waited for Chetan to come down and after he handed me papa's documents I parked myself on a nearby chair. Not more than 15 attendants occupied the huge waiting area.

The lobby that would have been bustling with patients with regular check ups now had a few patients seated waiting for their tests and doctors to arrive.

Nurses otherwise more in number were now reduced and only a couple of them wearing masks, gloves, use and throw socks and robes walked around readying patients, giving explanations about patients to their attendants.

After an hour of waiting, I was given a list of post op medicines that I had to buy from the pharmacy at the ground floor. All of us were sent at once so I waited at a good social distance as I was in no hurry.

We'll I'm still sitting and waiting for papa to come out after the surgery but this view of a very famous eye hospital makes me think.

It takes a corona virus for all of us to give utmost importance to health, hygiene and cleanliness. We'd never have used masks and sanitizers to this extent otherwise.

We now give each other some personal space, no one can peep into your phone or overhear your chat.

We dare not share water or food with strangers, something that we Indians think is basic courtesy.

We now know that every little issue is not an issue indeed. Visiting the doctor for small things, taking a stroll just because we are bored, having uninvited guests, unwanted expenses have all stopped.

We have grown to love home cooked food. Restaurants every weekends have ended and we are learning to make our favourite dishes at home which would have been ordered otherwise. We are becoming less lazy and more healthy.

We are learning that God indeed is present everywhere. With places of worship closed, there aren't any fights over them. There is a peaceful ambience in the entire country in this regard.

With still a few hours outside home and a lot of time at home, we are continuing to play games, watch TV and movies together, learn, laugh and reinvent the meaning of togetherness.

May be all of us did need a break from the outside to strengthen ourselves from the inside.

I hope you are home and safe waiting for better years and a brighter future ahead.


CHEERS!
GOD BLESS!!


CHS

Lockdown ke Side effects!

Disclaimer: This is purely a personal experience of the Lockdown 1 & 2.

I have mentioned in one of my previous post how the Lockdown was indeed a good start with family. After the Janta Curfew, the state government declared a lockdown till 30 march.

What we forecasted to be a week eventually turned into a few weeks and later almost 2 months.. A couple of days into the lockdown and everyone at home was sleeping till late, lazing around, skipping breakfast and having an early lunch.

Then hubby with one of his cousins started making and distributing food to the labourers and workers. Half the day was well spent and the rest half was either spent watching movies, TV or playing with cherith.

This lockdown has had some side effects but in a good way. My otherwise inactive hubby started playing cricket in the afternoons. I had driven him crazy with lectures of getting up early, exercising or playing a sport but only the lockdown got him to act.

I was delighted to see him laugh and play (he complained of muscle pain everyday though) but I felt this indoor cricket was way better than him warming the sofa all day.

Next, I saw hubby spend a lot of time with cherith. Other days he had school and during his holidays, hubby had office. This was like the perfect holiday for both. When cherry did not see him around for more than five minutes he would ask "papa kaha hai?"

3rd, cherry started learning new games and sports. His daadi introduced him to 2 new board games, I tried to inculcate innovation in his learning and me and hubby accompanied him for cycling rounds and game of badminton. He hasn't perfected its great to see him make an effort.

I managed to finish a few poems and writeups that were on the list since long. Although, there was a lot of extra work in the kitchen and in the absence of a maid, I was happy to get my Me Time to meet the artist within.

I like to cook but this time around I turned to an active experimenter. I tried baking wheat cookies, made French fried, buscuit cake, bread pakora for the first time. The best of it all was my experience of making jalebi. For the first time after marriage, I had hubby standing beside me, helping me. My happiness was beyond imagination.

The last but the best thing of the lockdown is that despite I was away from my family, we(brothers, sisters, cousins, nephews, nieces, friends) came together for game nights. We played housie, antakshari, quiz, performed tasks. We had fun, laughed together and connected better. In true sense, we were all brought together as a family.

Many of us have started cooking, trying new things, many of us have danced and made videos, many have explored the artists, many have played group games, many have started to the body its due care by way of workout, meditation and pampering.

Most importantly, we have all been speaking to our dear ones in other cities, states and countries, wishing they are well and praying for this to get over soon.

We have done our bit by donating money, food and supplies to the needy. We have lighted the candle of hope. We have appreciated and thanked the warriors who are keeping us safe. We have become sensitive human beings.

These things could have happened earlier but for the lack of time(thats what we think). In reality, we do have a lot of time and we do have people we love, we take privileges for granted perhaps.

Let's pledge to give ourselves more time, slow down and take a moment to enjoy the present. Give the happiness that we and our loved ones deserve.

Things are easing out a little now, but we all should be aware of the risk and danger that still hovers. Please do not go outside unnecessarily. Stay safe, stay home to be free once again.


CHEERS!!
GOD BLESS!!


CHS

The Extraordinary Jewel (PART 2)

RK, Mr Raj Kapoor who I adored as a childmade unparallel cinema. His Joker touched my heart in an inexplicable manner, my love for movies started from there.

Of the different life stages of Raju, young Raju was the most impactful. Played by Rishi Kapoor, I was introduced to love in its purest form..

When he looked at his teacher, when he smiled at her, when he always wanted her attention, all of it was immensely impactful. Those naive, loving and unadulterated expressions never left my mind.

With Bobby, it was a start with a bang. Monty of Karz was so convincing, I started hating Simi for killing him in his previous life.

When I watched Prem Rog, I fell in love with this determined lover who never expressed his feelings, loved her unconditionally and dared to go against her own family to give her what she rightfully deserved. The fact that the marriage and the rape did not alter his affection is something rarely practiced even today.

From romancing the most beautiful actresses to playing the fun-loving boy. From dancing to amazing dance numbers to making us want justice for snakes with films like Naagin, he did it all too well.

After the successful 90s, he reinvented himself in the beginning of the century playing characters apt to his age.

Perfect love guide in Love Aaj Kal, the various hues of a father in numerous movies like Hum Tum, Fanaa, Namastey London, Do Dooni Chaar, and Patiala House.

Furthermore, I felt that he had completely let go as an actor, doing characters like the principal in Student of the Year, the cafe owner Joseph Furtado in Chashme Baddoor and the gangster Iqbal Seth in D-day.

Dadaji in Kapoor and sons was epic. It was delightful to see the cute grandpa do marne ki acting and it was heartbreaking to see how he longed for one picture with his complete family.

I watched 102 Not Out with mom, and I remember how I was citing Babulal Vakharia's character to tell mom that she needed to relax and live her life.

Mulk was the last one I had watched and I was flabbergasted at his portrayal of a Muslim man fighting to get justice to his late younger brother paralllely supporting and reinforcing confidence in his daughter in law.

I'm yet to watch The Body but I'm sure it would be nothing but a thrilling treat.

This is just an excerpt to the massive life the megastar created for us onscreen. His candour and optimism exuberated every time he made an appearance.

With a humongous life ending in so much pain, we are forced to rethink the way we carelessly lead our lives.

For now, A salute to his work and prayer for his soul to find peace.

CHEERS!
GOD BLESS!!

CHS

The Extraordinary Jewel (PART 1)..

Bollywood lost two of the rare jewels in the past week. Mr Irrfan Khan and Mr. Rishi Kapoor. Both of them had entertained us in different genres. They made us cry, made us laugh, made us think, inspired us and charmed us.

I pray for both their souls to find peace and their families be blessed with strength.

This part one is about Irrfan sahab who played ordinary characters so extraordinarily that I was forced to believe the story and live his role throughly..

I loved his simplicity. The character he played may be a small one but as soon I saw any of the trailers of his movie, I knew I had to watch it. Dialogues may be well written but they would not have made the same impact if they weren't mouthed by him.

"What hurts most is not taking a moment to say goodbye" - Life of Pi. I almost believed there was a tiger with Pi on that boat.

"Blouse petticoat sab uske naap ka sil gaya" - Life in a metro
I wonder if anyone would have said that to a girl after she confesses her love. I had my jaws hurting after this scene.


The portrayal of an uneducated father in Hindi medium, who wants the best for his child, was on point. My heart went out to him when he did unthinkable things for his daughter's happiness in Angrezi Medium.

The carefree and happy friend in Kaarwaan and the brutally honest prospect who wants the girl to meet his exes in Qarib Qarib Single. The madness he unleashed in Piku was surreal. I could not imagine who could have give better potty advice to a constipated old man.


These are just a drop of his ocean of talent.

Be it a Sportsman turned dacoit in Paan Singh Tomar, a cop in Gunday, New York and Slumdog, an organic husband in Blackmail, he has credited some unforgettable work to his name..

He brought to life various emotions that I believe none would do so effortlessly. One never realizes he is acting, it feels like all that is going on onscreen is real.

True he won accolades, praises and millions of hearts but I guess he left too soon. The painful shock of his death slowly subsides as we know death is the ultimate truth.

All we can do now is cherish his phenomenal work forever.


CHEERS!!
GOD BLESS!!


CHS

Unfair...

How many have watched the movie Thappad?

I watched it last night and at many occasions tears rolled down unapologetically. I felt as if I wasn't in control, I felt heavy as if I was in Amu's shoes.

So firstly I'd request everyone to watch it with family. The movie displays reality, emotions and raw uncorrupted performances in abundance. Not the kinds you should miss.

I was totally into it while watching and once I finished, I seemed to be under a mountain of thoughts. How, why, when, how long.. So many questions hoarding my mind.

All of us know marriage is a lifetime investment, how does one evaluate the share a wife? She leaves behind her world, to make one for someone else. Working tirelessly for everyone's happiness without expecting rewards. Wouldn't it be fair to give her her share of respect and care?

Why are we girls taught to let go our dreams and desires and believe that a husband's success is ours. I wonder many times that I may have persued writing as a career had I not been married.

When do the wants, likes and wishes of others gain dominance on what we like for ourselves. Eating what is left after everyone is done, making dishes that others like, dressing the way others want you to, getting married and having children because 'nahi kiya toh log kya kahenge'

How long are we going to ignore and tolerate unfair things that we feel are nothing but normal? I have found myself and others in a situation where we are treated as nothing more than objects. Ones that can be used for someone else's gain.

I'd like to believe that relationships are different in today's times. There's equality, respect, care, communication - all of which were absolete in lives of our ancestors. Previously, wives were supposed to do what was asked of them without complaints and questions. Not surprising to still find people like that.

Though we do have a few positive changes, the truth is that there are a lot of prejudices that are brushed away as little nothings..

Here are a few personal examples

A man says "Auraton ki kamayi ghar mein nahi chahiye, main kamaunga tum ghar sambhalo"

Another man says "Ek baccha hi toh paida kiya hai, usme kya badi baat Hai"

A woman says "Beti tum kaam mat karo, sasural mein karti hi toh ho, bahu hai na, kar legi"

Another woman says "Bahu saara din bethi rehti hai, kaam kya hai ghar mein"

"Beta saara din kaam karke thak jaata hai use sone do, tumhe jaldi uthna chahiye"

"Tum kitchen mein kya kar rahe ho/ Yeh kaam tum kyu kar rahe ho, bahu kahan hai?"

These are just a few, I can write few more articles if I go on to reveal more of such quotations.

Its not everyone's forte to read between the lines so I don't blame you if you did not understand what the above lines truly mean.

I hope that women don't remain the givers in relationships. I wish that someday, we don't say "maine apna mann maara hai"

These unfair things are almost invisible but they have grave repercussions.

Look out for each other and please speak up when you feel something is unfair. You might just inspire others to be fair..


CHEERS!!
GOD BLESS!!


CHS