Apka fine Katega, shouted traffic constable. Kahe Sirji? I asked. Singal cross Kiya hai, he replied. I was rushing for my tuition class and, he was standing right next to the Jwalaheri Market crossing. The red lights hardly work, not today. The constable Gurjeet Singh Ji was adamant about putting a penalty. I was more …
Author Archives: Atul
Mili
Mili lived life on her own: like a butterfly, independent and break free. Money was in abundance, thanks to her parent’s medical profession. I met her at a friend’s party in Delhi, I guess in Lado Sarai barsaati(rooftop). I was impressed by her confidence, and it was she, not weed or alcohol. She told me …
idleness
You have to be rich to be a philosopher or an absolute destitute. Most of us are so busy running in the rat race, manage end meets for our living that idleness is luxury. When most of our thoughts run in the everyday misery of work, family, and figuring next day’s meal, where will creativity …
convenience
It is easy to narrate and mold stories at our convenience. It gives us the power of being something. Our ego dictates over us and leads us to take actions which we would have never taken otherwise. If we are lucky, we end up having a less painful life. We build cars, entertainment, food apps, …
hope
‘I have a girlfriend, stop marriage related conversation’; screamed Akash. It has been a daily sermon: anybody or everybody would end up giving him marriage counseling. Be it the milkman, maid, vegetable vendor, or barber. Akash is in his early 30’s and a well-groomed, small-time boy. He was among the early ones from his village …
control
Why do we want to have control over others? I heard about incidents related to the work environment where leaders, founders are absolute control freaks. When you hire someone, they have a role to play within the organization. They are given responsibility and expected to deliver. A leader can focus elsewhere. I thought leadership is …
faceless
You will find me everywhere: Traffic signals selling flowers, begging. At a restaurant serving your meals. At your home helping with cleaning and cooking. At midnight fixing potholes or before monsoon many fts down under cleaning sewage system. We are faceless; we have no voice. Police, politicians, people everyone considers us invisible. Nobody cares about …
Maturity
Maturity comes with age and experience. I was a believer of it, not anymore. I think it is a mental construct and, more of it is about ourselves. People come on their reasons which fit their construct. In the end, one has to face themselves and their thoughts. How can we be vulnerable; we have …
grateful
I was on half a dozen calls last day. It made me feel how lucky I am; I had a sense of gratitude and was feeling very grateful at the same time. I had my mentors, customers, friends, and advisors around me to help me. There are days, times in life when you feel fucked …
Cribbing
Cribbing is our favorite past time. Even society thrives on it. Social psychologists, media, and marketers know about it, and that is why we are scared, sold cure for worries, pain. Be it a product, opinion, or feedback: we go after negatives before the positives. I wonder if the fault-finding gives some sense of pride. …