An Unforgettable Experience

An Unforgettable Experience

Surgery……the word conjures terrifying images in one’s mind.  Doctors in green garb, knives, scissors and other lethal instruments instantly come to mind. Similar thoughts crossed my mind when I learnt that I would have to undergo Surgery for Retinal Detachment.

Petrified is too mild a word to describe what I felt. To make matters worse, my surgery was scheduled on a Monday.  This was one weekend I was definitely not looking forward to.

When I arrived at BB Eye Foundation, Minto Park I was a bundle of nerves. My surgeon Dr Sourav Sinha eased my tension considerably. He is a remarkably skilled, genial and compassionate person.  When a person realizes that surgery is imminent, compassion is something you need in large doses.

Nothing on earth could prepare me for what I was about to experience inside the OT. In spite of my best efforts, I could not curb my anxiety. Dr Sinha conversed with me at length throughout the surgery. It helped to distract me from the task, at hand.

The surgery continued for an hour, approximately. At the end of it, I thanked Dr. Sinha. I was quite surprised when he thanked me saying that I’d been a co-operative patient.

My sister and my husband were with me all through the ordeal, if I am permitted to call it so. My mother also helped a lot. Of course, they had to wait outside, but seeing their affable faces made me realize that yes, the worst is over.You don`t thank your family but i really wish i could thank them for their love and unconditional support.

It’s been more than 3 months since the surgery. My husband & I have visited BB Eye Foundation many times since that day. Every time we go there, Dr. Sinha is as friendly and warm as he was on that fateful day. His reassuring smile is always there whenever I face any doubt.

In line of Oscar acceptance speeches, I would like to thank a few people for helping me to overcome the ordeal like my husband & my sister & my mother for being with me through thick &a thin and Dr Sinha for his humane nature. I am recuperating slowly and steadily, however I have learnt a lot from this unforgettable experience.

 

Kahaani……An Intriguing Story Indeed!

Kahaani……An Intriguing Story Indeed!

When I saw the promos of the forthcoming thriller, I was not too thrilled! Initially, it seemed like a ghost story, when I saw a particular clip, where Vidya Balan is pushed in front of a train. But, with steady nerves (or so it seemed), I went to see this unusual film.

A heavily pregnant Vidya (Bidya) Bagchi arrives at Kolkata, from London, in search of her missing husband, Arnab Bagchi. What is perplexing is that there are no records to confirm Arnab Bagchi`s existence. A hassled Vidya rushes to the Police Station, straight from the Airport, so desperate is she, to look for her missing husband. This is a somewhat unusual occurrence, which is why even the taxi driver remarks that this is not something many people do, when they arrive at Kolkata.

In the first half, the film is mystifying. Twists and turns at every corner, leave you enthralled, yet there is a point when it becomes difficult to remember the names of all the agents, moles and Police Officers.

Vidya is relentless, and despite her condition, she insists on continuing the search for her missing husband. She runs from pillar to post, looking for her husband. However, everywhere she meets a dead end. Or so it seems. She befriends Rana (Parambrata Chatterjee) who helps her in her mission (Mission Impossible, one might say). Rana says that people in Kolkata have two names, which translates, to dual identities.

The film is humorous, as well. The sleazy hotel, where Vidya decides to stay, advertises running hot water. In reality, it refers to a kid who runs, and delivers hot water, to people who require it.

Vidya Balan, as Vidya Bagchi is an actor par excellence. She had delivered a flawless performance in The Dirty Picture, which is why people were eagerly anticipating her next release. With her stunning features, and her intelligent portrayal of the character, one cannot help but be intrigued.

Lastly, Kolkata City is depicted with a lot of passion. As you view this unpretentious city, you cannot help but fall in love with Kolkata, again. Victoria Memorial, the lazy tram rides, Howrah Bridge …you will see it all. When you think of Kolkata, how can you overlook Durga Puja? By setting the climax of the film during Durga Puja, the director has effectively captured the verve of the city.

So, the question is, does the protagonist find her missing husband? Well, to know that, you have to watch the film. One thing is for sure, the climax of the film is unlike anything, I have ever seen. It depicts a lot of emotion, and when you witness the raw, naked emotion on Vidya`s face, you will feel her pain, and suffering, too.

Kahaani is an out-and-out Vidya Balan film. However, you must watch the film for the impressive performances of the Tollywood brigade, including Parambrata Chattopadhyay, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Shaswata Chatterjee ( mirthful as an unassuming LIC Agent), and Kharaj Mukherjee( his witty self, as usual)

Kahaani is a gritty story. When you watch the film, you will relate with the protagonist, and at the end, you will feel her pain, and anguish. Kahaani is an intriguing Kahaani, watch it & see for yourself.

A Wonderful trip to Puri, Orissa

An Invigorating trip to Puri, Orissa

We wanted an unconventional Durga Puja retreat, so we decided to celebrate it with a trip to Puri, Orissa. We boarded the Howrah-Puri Express, for an overnight journey to our seaside destination.

When we arrived, in the morning it was sweltering & unbearably humid. Nevertheless, we set out to explore Lord Jagannath`s relatives` residence, in the evening. The temple was quite nice, and close at hand, was a Brahmachari Ashram. We visited a mini Buddhist Monastery, and the ambiance within it was serene. .

We dedicated the evenings to a seashore rendezvous. When you visit Puri, how can you overlook the seashore? The sea beckons all and sundry to get to know her, and intimately, too. Regardless of whether you know how to swim, or don’t( Like me)…..you must taste the salty water, to make your trip memorable.

On the next day, we visited the shrine of Lord Jagannath. The temple’s facade is exquisite, however as you visit the other temples, you will notice a pattern. This visit was eventful, to say the least. Crowds of jostling devotees made their way to this shrine and a mini stampede was on its way; however we managed to escape unscathed. The next stop was Sakhi Gopal, a small temple dedicated to Lord Krishna, which is amid Orissa`s oldest shrines.

We went to Raghurajpur which is a heritage crafts rural community inside Puri district, Orissa. We came across an artist who displayed some stunning examples of his work…on paper, silk and so forth. This person uses purely natural colors on his fabric, which makes his work more eye-catching!

There are lots of shops where you can get good and reasonably priced dress materials. Kotki is a kind of cotton fabric, renowned in Puri and Bhubaneshwar and you can acquire some excellent pieces, in the form of saris, dress materials, and even handkerchiefs…

The subsequent day entailed a visit to Bhubaneshwar. We passed Pipli, renowned for its applique work. Our first stop was Dhauli. The rock edicts bear witness to the ghastly war on Kalinga by the eminent Mauryan emperor Ashoka. This is where King Ashoka; sought refuge in Buddhism.

After Dhauli, we visited Khandagiri & Udayagiri, adjacent to Dhauli. The identical hills of Khandagiri & Udayagiri, is the site of a very old Jain monastery carved into a cave like structure in the hill. A few of the caves have exquisite carvings.

Nandankanan Sanctuary & Biological Park was next on our agenda. It is actually a Biological Park in a verdant landscape, where you can glimpse animals and birds in their natural habitat. A must visit feature of this park is the Lion Safari and White Tiger Safari, where you will get the opportunity to view lions and white tigers, in close proximity.

Our next destination was the eminent Sun Temple, Konark. This Temple is as the Black Pagoda, situated at Konark, in Orissa. By the time we returned, it was nighttime. En route to the hotel, we saw the beautiful Chandrabhaga Beach, which is located 3 Kms east of the well-known Sun temple of Konark. The waves literally splashed on the shoreline, and it was a sight for sore eyes.

Lake Chilka was the final destination. We went on a guided tour, via Odisha Tourism (Yes that is what Orissa is called, at present). This was also a memorable journey. By boat, we journeyed the Lake, which is amid the biggest saltwater lakes, globally. Moreover, it has countless Irrawaddy dolphins. We glimpsed a few dolphins, as well…

We visited an island named Rajhans….nothing momentous, though. It was just a deserted stretch, where people mainly halt, to unwind and to drink the refreshing coconut water, following a tiring journey.

This was a memorable trip for me, to Puri, Orissa. Apart from the shopping, there was a lot of enjoyment, and amusement as well. This trip will remain an unforgettable one for me, everlastingly.

Mystic & Tranquil Sikkim: An Unforgettable Journey

I went on a trip to Sikkim & Gangtok on the 2^nd of June. Our Journey was set in motion with the Darjeeling Mail. We experienced ultimate opulence as we traveled first class, for the first time. Chatting, eating, sharing memorable anecdotes along the way, it was a great feeling altogether.

It was an overnight journey, so we reached New Jalpaiguri on the next day. From there, we had to travel by car, to reach Gangtok, and this is a 4-5 hours journey. This was a bit grueling; nevertheless our first glimpse of Sikkim was enough to negate the journey’s stress.

We went sightseeing to view the scenic countryside, and Rumtek Monastery was our first stop. This monastery is a reflection of Sikkim in its calmness, tranquility and its religious conviction. The monks possess an inexorable religious belief, which seems to permeate your inner self. There is a Golden Stupa inside the Monastery which is a must-visit. The flowers outside the Monastery are amazing. I have never seen such massive flowers anywhere. Shanti View point enables you to view the picturesque beauty of Gangtok, at leisure. You can devour delicious veg momos, at Shanti Viewpoint.

The Chorten Monastery was next on our agenda. This is a smaller version of the Rumtek Monastery. Its white, pristine loveliness literally takes your breath away. To reach this monastery, there is a steep incline, which yet again takes your breath away. When we reached Chorten, the monks were engaged in some sort of a spiritual conversation and it was worth the climb, to view this sacrosanct place.

Our next stop was the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology. This is a Library which is adequately stored with uncommon books as well as manuscripts related with Mahayana Buddhism. This institute has a museum which exhibits Buddhist paintings, artifacts along with texts. This was the educational part of our trip.

The Flower Show was simply marvelous. There were gigantic flowers, and this was spread out over a huge area. I have never seen so many blooming flowers anywhere, though I have come across my fair share of blooming idiots.

We went to the Ropeway, in the evening. It was an interminable wait, as there was a big queue comprising people and their family unit. The wait was worth it, though The Ropeway offered a picturesque view of the mountains, and as we looked down, it seemed as if the houses and the cars on the roads were like miniature toys.

Our final destination was the Handicrafts Museum. This place exhibited the most amazing handicrafts, of Sikkim. This included durries, bright colored bags and wallets, as well as wall-hangings, and other interesting stuff.

This trip was a memorable one, especially as this was our first trip together….my husband, me & my mom & sis. We went during the rainy season, which is why we saw an unforgettable facet of Gangtok. The incessant rains during the nighttime, and the sunshine during the day, was an extraordinary experience altogether. There was a feeling of melancholy, as we could not explore Yumthang Valley and witness the incredible rhododendrons. On a more positive note, we can look forward to that on the next visit. This trip, in the meantime was simply incredible.

Pleasing People:

Leading a normal life is in itself a Herculean task, nevertheless if you are required to carry out additional duties, life becomes impossible.

This is an aspect we slowly comprehend throughout life. When we are young, our parents expect a lot from us. We are expected to be model citizens, and not say a word out of place or do anything which is not accepted by society. This is the same society which looks at us with a quiet disdain if we do not adhere to the norms which have been set by them. School is thus a rigorous lesson in discipline along with instruction.

We enjoy a little bit of freedom, in college. This is in fact the rebellious stage in our life. Watching movies, skipping lectures, oh that was an amazing time indeed. It is almost as if we are permitted to be in the secure cocoon, however the flip side is that we are completely unprepared for what follows. After we pass out from college, we are bewildered. Our parents, our peers as expected, have a lot of expectations from us. Do this, do that. Further studies, or else a job. Here too, we might have our own way. After that, it is an obligation to look after our parents however i am sure this is a responsibility which we accomplish willingly , without much prodding.

Till this stage, life is somewhat bearable. After marriage, what ensues is almost something we are unprepared for. Firstly, your husband expects a lot of things from you. What i cannot fathom is why expectations are simply one-sided? Why do we expect such a lot from people without investing any additional effort within the relationship ourselves? Do this, do that, follow these norms, don`t do this as people will frown on this sort of behavior. Why do we even bother to please people? Who are these people who constitute society? Just a group of nameless, faceless people. Who are they to tell us what is right and what is not?

I have always believed in doing what i think is right. Right from my college days to the days of my vocation at different BPO`s, i have followed my heart. I have probably not done the right thing at all times, but i can proudly state that have learned from my mistakes. Society will not come to your aid when you take a wrong decision, however they are more than willing to point an accusing finger at you, if you have done something which is not considered acceptable. Expectations is a cumbersome burden which threatens you like the sword of Damocles.

At the risk of sounding rebellious, i state that it is better to follow your heart. Do what you think is right and not what others tell you to. I am not saying that your parents, your spouse are ill-meaning people, however their advice is not always well-meaning. Do not act in haste, listen to people, however take your own decisions. Do not let people`s expectations force you to do something you would never ever have considered doing ordinarily. Life is short, live it the way you want to, not the way people want you to live it. Remember no matter how hard you try, you can never please people. So why try?

Spirituality:its inner meaning What do we mean by Spirituality? Is it a palpable feeling or an indistinct one? Is it manifested merely by worshiping numerous idols? The 33 crore god-goddesses, as Bengalis are prone to stating. Does this mean that an atheist who does not have any charitable feelings for idol worship is essentially not spiritual? To an extent spirituality is heightened by idol-worship on a daily basis. This process invokes an innate feeling of divinity within us. We are prone to spirituality when we worship the idol as a representative of the intangible presence which controls the Universe. Is spirituality about worship or is it a far deeper aspect? Is it in the form of transcendentalism? Meditation? Will this bring us a step closer to realizing the real meaning of life?

We cannot deny the fact that spirituality assists in realizing our true worth as an individual. Can we not realize it, to an extent when we are immersed deep, in meditation? Is it possible to meditate to an extent that we lose consciosuness of our real self? How did the sages, and great men achieve this? Is transcendentalism possible, or is it just an impracticable aspect we read about, in books?

These are questions which will, in all probability remain unanswered. When we talk of spirituality, it is just the innate divinity of a person. Varied people worship diverse gods & goddesses. They chant hymns, perform rituals to appease their inner self and the gods in question. Spirituality is your inner perspective, your innate belief. This is what separates ordinary, god-worshipping mortals from the agnostics and the atheists. This is my opinion.

The Winter of My Life

Winter is a fundamentally indolent season. This is the time when we are reluctant to relinquish the comfort of our quilt and work. Thus,a break is necessary. Winter is ideal for picnics and outings. The slight nip in the air is marvelous and this is the time when we involuntarily reach for the woolens. There are times in which we end up looking like Santa Claus due to the numerous layers of clothing, but this is the time when traveling is a pleasure. Winter paves the way for Christmas. This is essentially a time for Christians, but what is to stop us from having our share of enjoyment during this time? This is the ideal time for fruit cakes....yum yum. If you are a MasterChef, you can actually attempt baking one, however if like me cooking isn`t really your forte, well thank Goodness there are places where you can buy the cakes. What do you feel when you look at the pale sun`s rays falling on the leaves, during the bleak winter mornings? It is simultaneously depressing and welcoming. As soon as you get up, don`t you wish you can snuggle back inside the comfort of the quilt again? After a while, when you feel the blood flowing in your veins again, that is the time when you start contemplating what you should do, during the day..........a long, lazy day which lies ahead of you. Winter also heralds death, the end of life. Innumerable poets and authors have referred to the time when a person reaches the winter of his life......imminent death. This could be the reason why winter is not everyone`s preferred season. However, in a nutshell i love winter and its infinite possibilities.........especially the nip in the air and the endless gourmet possibilities:)

A man for all seasons

Moner Manush

Saw a bengali film after ages yesterday. The film is Moner Manush, by Goutam Ghosh.I was never an ardent Prosenjit fan but i was pleasantly surprised first by Autograph and then Moner Manush.

Moner Manush narrates the exploits of Lalan Fakir. What is amazing about the film is the message it portrays, subtle yet loud enough to be heard. Communism, pantheism the film explores all this & much more. There are certain aspects which could be perceived as too bold however what leaves a lasting impression is the simple manner in which Lalan puts forth his views, within a delightful song & dance routine.

Prasenjit is amazing as Lalan Fakir. The lilting tunes almost involuntarily make you hum along. Another remarkable aspect is the humility of Lalan Fakir, who manages to put forth his inimitable views whilst acknowledging that he is unlettered.The film does not preach, this is something i really liked. There are certain bold aspects, however this is also a simple truth. When you are in search of your own identity, it is not essential that you must renounce everything in the process. It is not possible, nor desirable. This film is thus a search, for your own identity, your sense of worth......

The minus point in the film is its length. There are parts which are unnecessary and it could have done with some clipping at times, this is my opinion of course. On the whole it is a good film, a Bengali Musical if i may say so. But when you are detailing the exploits of a Baul, songs are necessary of course. I loved Prasenjit in the film and his commercial ventures notwithstanding, this is one of his best efforts.

The Unfairness of Life

Life is, at the risk of sounding cliched, filled with more than its fair share of trials & tribulations. This is an aspect we are forced to accept most of the time, however there are rare instances during which we can feel the beginning of a rebellion, deep inside. Why it that life is so unfair to some people, whilst there are people who seem to be born with the silver spoon in their mouth. Why is there such a disparity? There are people who are forced to beg for a living, simultaneously there are people who do not have to lift a finger, and are born with all the riches.

Such is life, fair or unfair, just or unjust, this is just the way it is & we would be happier if we could simply accept it. However, acceptance is not easy. It is just not possible that people would accept the injustice which is meted out to them. There are some, like Mr Bachchan, the charismatic icon who prefer to rebel against their original surname and to set aside the issue of caste-ism,they adopt a separate surname. But then, they are icons and can get away with almost anything. How does the common man rebel? Who would care if he does, and who would support him, if he did? To reiterate, this is life, life is unjust but you have to live it. To rebel would be to initiate change, and change is not acceptable to many. Let things go on, just the way they are progressing. This is the attitude of Gen Y....until & unless, we are brave enough to accept the tumult which accompanies change, this is the attitude we are forced to adopt as well. Till then, we have to accept injustice, tolerate nonsense, view the position which is rightfully ours being claimed by others who are not fit even to be in their present position. What can we do? Who would hear us, if we dare to complain? How far can a solitary voice protest? All we can do is stare silently, watch the unfairness of it all, and wonder......when would our day ultimately come?

Spirited Away........a spirited endeavor

Spirited Away

We were planning to watch a Japanese animated film named Spirited Away. My initial reaction was, this is surely something which is watched by kids. Surely we, were a little too old for watching this kind of stuff? Well, persistence did pay off, in this regard.

Spirited away is simply beautiful. It literally takes your breath away. the film centers around the adventures of a little girl, Chihiro and her foray into a strange land, with her parents. By an amazing twist, her parents are turned into pigs, and she sets out on an amazing adventure to bring them back to normalcy and to ensure that she can realize her true potential, and additionally seek true love in the bargain.

The film is mysterious, sinister and compelling all at once. There is an amazing smorgasbord of emotions........love, life laughter, cynicism, trust and faith which are interwoven into the very fiber of the film. This is all about trust between Chihiro and her friend Haku, who rescues her, predictably from all the evil forces which surround her, and it is truly mesmerizing how Chihiro repays this debt.

This film is a must-watch. This has been highly recommended by rotten tomatoes( all the film fanatics must be aware of the tomato meter) Moreover, this film is a sheer delight to watch....highly recommended.