Sometimes, ignorance is not bliss

It feels quite disappointing to mention how ignorance is causing a major loss to me. Ganjoo Sahab, an expert on Kashmir affairs, worked with me for some time in ANI. We developed closeness while arguing over several issues with our fellow colleague Barun Haldar, an octogenarian retired voice over artist from All India Radio, and a hardcore congress supporter, who holds high respect among top newsreaders of India.

But Ganjoo Sahab, in his late 50s, developed closeness with me, as we used to argue over day-to-day political or social developments as and when they appeared in newspapers or on news channels. We had heated debates, days of staying on no-talking terms, and even gained popularity in office for our intellectual fights.

He came close to me, for being similar, if not identical in opinion, on many issues; mainly Hindutva related. I hated him when he objected to the Tricolour being erected on the partition between our cubicles. All three used to sit on the end of three rows of the office building’s third floor. Ganjoo never valued Barun and the latter never felt comfortable in his presence. Barun would talk to me mostly when Ganjoo was not around. We would remain seated on our respective chairs and would stand up only when the arguments gained heat. But it was a great fun of its own sort.

Barun Da left the company for his beloved wife, who needed his company following the old age. To my great surprise, I was only person whom he chose to say Goodbye to out of his hundreds of fans in the company. I felt privileged. I feel so stupid of me for not writing Barun Da frequently despite loving writing. I know he has big heart to forgive me. I miss his presence.

A Kashmiri Pandit by community and Hindu by religion, he was born to an Army man and is a brother to a famous geologist. Once he told me how he started writing news as a freelance initially but never allowed anyone to learn about it. He remained secretive, a habit he maintains to this day with alacrity. His father learnt about his only after some of their neighbours told they had noticed his son’s name in some local newspaper in Kashmir.

Off and on, he calls me at night, as he perhaps finds none who would listen to his real life kisse-kahaniyan (anecdotes). He has been a great reporter of authority on his favourite subject Kashmir and its related world. He says he gained notorious popularity among all top politicians of Kashmir and is a well-known name in PoK, Pakistan, and Nepal. I value him a lot as a novice in this journalistic field.

I find it very interesting to listen how he dealt with people that he came across and the circumstances he undergone at times.

For me, it’s highly interesting. But sadly, he calls me at a time when I am not full focused. I believe any intelligent person would love to concentrate on his each word. But I , simply, forget. For not having any in-depth knowledge on Kashmir and related things, all those talks remain short-stories to me. But really those are interesting human stories.

It scares me if ever he talks about having interviewed any top-profile person of authority in India or Pakistan. Though I view it he is doing a great service to our nation in his own chosen way, but my poor awareness and understanding of things disappoints me, especially my forget memory. I am usually surfing net at that time when he calls up or doing something else. It just helps me sleep well having felt entertained and listened to some deeply thought out views.

I don’t know when I will be serious to understand and learn from his talks. I need to improve my basics about Kashmir and Pakistan.

The Metro train and me......

I have recently found a charm in travelling to office by Metro train. Honestly speaking, it was rather a compulsion than a personal choice, as I was forced by circumstances--the heavy rains for it.

The recent heavy downpour in Delhi proved to be a blessing in disguise for a person like me, who gets just 15-20 minutes to think about rest of the day or the strategy to deal new challenges the next day.

The heavy rains stuck my motorbike twice. The rainwater makes it immovable, as the water enters the piston (read engine) which takes almost 12 hours to dry on its own.

No ordinary mechanic or Puncture wallah can help in that crisis! I remember dragging my 99 kg bike 21 kilometres on the first day when it rained cats and dogs in Delhi in August. Thanks to a few nice souls who pushed my bike every now and then up to half way (10 kilometres). Rest was a harrowing experience at past midnight!

But, as it is said, it's never too late to make a good beginning; hence I have started travelling by Metro train from Sep.10, 2009. It is my third day on trot but I find myself like any villager or stranger who has entered a different planet where he is actually lost and has to learn everything by hit and trial method.

The Metro experience is quite interesting for me these days. Everyday there is something stupid done by me. Be it de-boarding at wrong stations and then going blank or naively calling my friend Rajesh for directions (that I haven't followed as yet) or just approaching anyone on the platforms or inside the train asking basic things like any villager in city.

There is unique joy being like that but it involves slightly nervous and embarrassing moments too.

Recently, I paid a fine of Rs.50 for de-boarding at two stops ahead of where I was expected to as per travelling coupon. I didn't know one has to get down at Kashmere Gate for Inter State Bus Terminal stop (I.S.B.T). I asked one or two persons but they didn't tell me clearly. That's how I travelled two stations ahead.

But when I approached the coupon counter for my coupon's up gradation, as was suggested by friend on the previous night, I was charged Rs.50 as fine. It's a new rule introduced a week ago and not many people are aware of it.

My entire joy of the day that I have saved Rs.200 of travelling to my office by three-wheeler vanished, as I a total Rs.82 on that night to reach my residence at 11.40 instead of 10.00 p.m.

Even if it takes an hour-and-a-half to two hours each day on one side from my home in Malka Ganj to R.K.Puram (21 km), instead of 25 to 30 minutes on motorbike, still I am exploring its full joy. I am trying to make myself comfortable with it.

Besides disallowing me to work in office beyond almost eight hours, it gives me enough time to think, to relax and to learn anything what i want. I am just starting to like it.

I view it as something 'new' happening in life. It's after opting to travel by it routinely, with initial hesitation, that I am exploring the scopes and joy of it. So many people, so many talks, there is just so much in Metro, I think I have missed for a long time. It's been probably six years when Metro was introduced in Delhi, but after once or twice travelling like a kid accompanying elders, I had a chance to travel by it with friends. That too on much reluctance and their insistence I agreed.

Now, I am beginning to feel what it takes to travel by Metro. I look forward to be more comfortable and actually be able to enjoy the hidden joy without nervousness.