Needs

I met her on a sunny day;

Her hair had just begun to turn gray.

I asked her what she really wanted;

I was not prepared for what she asked:

"A single whiff of fresh air,

A moment without a care,

A smile that reaches the eyes,

A tear that springs in surprise,

A hand that I can reach out to,

A lap that I can bury into,

A memory of a beautiful time,

A promise of a loving rhyme."

Help - I would if I could;

But I couldn't, so I didn't.

Her needs were naive,

Yet, they managed to baffle life.

WTF Series: Episode 08: Cause of rapes - Chowmein and more!

Our honorable political leaders spread the light of knowledge on the stark reality of rapes in India.

Sube Singh Samain, Spokesperson of the Sarva Khap Panchayat (local village judiciary system):

"Boys and girls should be married by the time they turn 16, so that they do not stray... this will decrease the incidents of rape. As soon as the children attain puberty, it is natural for them to have sexual desires but when these are not fulfilled, they stray... so there should not be any minimum age limit for marriage”.

Om Prakash Chautala, Former Chief Minister of Haryana:

"We should learn from the past... specially in Mughal era, people used to marry their girls to save them from Mughal atrocities and currently a similar situation is arising in the state. I think that's the reason khap (panchayat/local village judiciary system) has taken such a decision and I support it."

Jitendar Chattar, Khap Panchayat Leader:

"To my understanding, consumption of fast food contributes to such incidents. Chowmein leads to hormonal imbalance evoking an urge to indulge in such acts."

Dharamvir Goyat, Congress Leader:

"90% women who are raped willingly accompany the men initially but are trapped in gang rapes later."

Sampat Singh, Former Minister and Congress MLA:

"Lack of intellectual growth is the reason behind rising crime against women. People might have prospered but have not become mature enough to understand their responsibilities towards society and in some cases towards their families even. Generally, families hardly monitor the activities of their children, especially the sons, who are later found to be involved in such acts."

Mamata Bannerjee, Chief Minister of West Bengal:

"Rape cases are on a rise in the country because men and women interact with each other more freely now. Earlier if men and women would hold hands, they would get caught by parents and reprimanded but now everything is so open. It`s like an open market with open options.”

So, my fellow women citizens of India, let's marry at 12, not eat 'chowmein' or any fast food, not talk to any member of the opposite sex, not go to school and become "forward"; let's also wear loose clothes that cover us from head to toe so that we don't entice poor men; And if you find all this tough, how about, let's not be born as women!

I really am speechless. Where are we headed and what are we going to do? The future seems as dark and dismal as the present if such be our "leaders".

Seriously, WTF.

Overheard (contd.)

Continuing from my post here...

So, if kiddie conversations seem cute and fun to us, what do adults talk about - loudly enough to be heard by innocent bystanders. Here are some conversations I have overheard...

A college going teen on her phone in a crowded public bus in Delhi ... (obviously to her boyfriend :))
"No, I can't say it. I am in a bus. No. There are so many people around. How can I? Okay, you say it. Why can't you say it? No, please. Try and understand naa......"
(This actually went on for 5 minutes and all the co passengers seemed either amused or irritated - I was both. I felt like telling her, just say it and get it over with - I can't bear more of this on this morning.)
..."Okay, don't get angry. I will say it later twice to make up. Okay, my stop is coming. Okay, you say. Okay, me too...he he he. bye!"
(Seriously, me too! What a relief!)

An Indian couple at the clothes section in Target...
Wife picks up a woolen skirt.
Husband: Yaar, why do you always pick up something that does not suit you. How will you wear this? You are so fat.
(The wife was on the bulkier side, but she couldn't pass off as "fat"!)
Wife: So what, everybody wears!
Husband: Yeah, but they looks good in it. You look horrible - like you are trying to be someone else.
(The poor wife places the skirt back and from what I could read of her expression, she was done with her shopping for the day. There's something very condescending about some infact many Indian husbands. They might have the most unflattering of paunches and double chins, but somehow they feel they have this right to comment on their wives' appearances and belittle her and discourage her from wearing different styles of clothing. I swear to god, if Vish hadn't pulled me away, I would have punched this guy on his face. He was so rude and condescending, I can't tell you!)

In the grocery aisle of Walmart, an American couple discussing what veggies to buy...
Wife: Should I pick up broccoli?
Husband: Naah, you don't make it very well.
Wife: What do you mean? Why don't you take a shot at it then?
Husband: No, what I meant was my mom makes this really amazing dish with broccoli.
Wife: Well, I can't be your mom. Though you are most welcome to go back to her lap!
(Me: :D :D kahaani ghar ghar ki, kahaani har ghar ki... - translated inadequately in English as "the story of every household")

And while, adult conversation in the public on politics, stocks, trade, sports are fairly common (and boring!) and extend to strangers, there are people who manage intimate discussions too...
This is a couple in the Delhi Metro...
Boy: So, is it a yes from you?
Girl: I am not sure.
Boy: What are you not sure about?
Girl: What if you don't love me, it's only infatuation.
Boy: No, I know it. This is love.
Girl: How can you be so sure. Have you been in love before?
Boy: No, And that is why I am so sure.
Girl: So you have felt infatuation before?
Boy: Yes, but it was not love. This is love.
Girl: Maybe this is just a stronger infatuation. And previously, when you were infatuated, didn't you think that was love too.
Boy: Maybe, but I soon realized it wasn't.
Girl: What if, now the realization comes a little later. Then what will you do?
Boy: I am sure this time.
Girl: So, actually what you are saying is I am not your first really?
Boy: You are my first love.
Girl: Or maybe first strong infatuation
Boy: I swear I am serious.
Girl: Even if it is love, you might fall out of love some day, then what?
...
...
...
(And the conversation went on. I had to get off at my stop, though I seriously considered hanging on to see where this ended...)

Hello October!

There's a cheerful nip in the air,

The sun's rays no longer glare;

The greens are bidding their loving adieus,

And the leaves turning into bright fiesty hues;

There is summer walking away,

And winter approaches the doorway;

Pumpkins or apples, ice creams or lattes, frappes or hot chai,

This is the time you can enjoy everything with a pie.

It's not hot, it's not cold, it's just right,

And that is October's delight!