RANDOM ENCOUNTERS

 EPISODE 1

I remember when we were in school after final exams we get some 15 days holiday before the results are out.We keep counting the days and really get worried as the result date approaches . 

Those days no online results .You need to walk to school which would be easily 2 kms away.

The results are printed and neatly pasted on the board in the school .The results of only failed students are put up.  It would  say " following students detained. All others passed" 

On the day of result though we used to be confident of passing,  a little unfounded  fear used to be there. What if we have   failed.. Myself, brother and sister used to walk to the school early morning with pounding hearts. While we would be half way through,  our class mates who would be returning back after seeing the results would tell us "you all have  passed".  We innocently walk back home without going to the school. When we reach home , my father would ask , ' what happened" we would say " we all passed and our friends who returned told us". He would become serious and tell us to go to school again and see the results ourselves. And we would again go all the way. Such was the confidence my father used to have on us

EPISODE 2

Going for an hair cut those days used to be  real fun. You go there and find as usual lot of crowd. I wait for my favourite hair dresser there. It is nice watching people waiting for their turn . Some reading magazines, some looking outside aimlessly and some sitting restlessly . Ths hair dresser knew each customer personally in and out as people never change their saloon.

The guy keeps you engrossed with conversation, national international news and politics  and does his job meticulously. He would enquire for a friend who hadn't turned up for long etc.  Real personal touch those days. Good guys at heart.

After waiting for so long your turn comes and he asks "chota karoon ya medium." I always say " medium "because if you say chota he would cut most of the hair and you look very weird and you carry that for a week very consciously.

You reach home as if you have done a great job only to be told by your mother, " why you have not cut it little more 

EPISODE 3

In 1988 when I bought my first 2nd hand car I was so thrilled. I spent a wholeday to sadar  bazar Delhi and was l looking for a car cover. Ultimately bought one (very costly those days) and proudly covered my car. It had ropes to tie  around and took some time to nicely tie it . I did this for two days but then got bored and it occpuef the dicky ever since 😛

EPISODE 4

I had a brush with Divinity on more than  one occasions

It was in the year  1994 or so. Geetha insisted that we go for Darshan of Matha Amrithanandamayi as she had arrived in Vasantkunj New Delhi as she is an ardent devotee. She was camping  for a three days tour in her Ashram in Vasantkunj. I was least interested to have Darshan of any Swamiji or Deviji  However I had to agree as I had to drive her there. There was a long queue there and it irritated  me. Nonetheless I stood there half heartedly without any interest. Mathaji hugged every one and whispered something in the ears of everybody.  My turn came and I was aghast with the question she asked  She said " why did you come if you are not interested? " I was spell bound. But I consoled myself and thought she could have  made out from my body language. But the next event made me believe that there is a definite power she carried.

After Darshan I was far away from the crowd and as usual smoking a cigarette away from the Darshan venue but I could see Mathaji on the stage from that distance.  I saw one volunteer rushing to me and I stubbed my cigarette thinking that I should not smoke there. . She did not say anything about the cigarette but said Mathaji is calling you. I was surprised and shocked. Why would she call me when I was not even interested. I managed enough courage and went on to the stage . She hugged me and asked me which was my favourite God. I told her my favourite God and she gave a two line mantra in my ear. She told me not to share this with to anyone . I was impressed. Later on I came to know such mantra has not been given to any one even close to her for many years She chose me .Till date I am reciting this daily. But unable to digest why she chose me. Hehe.😎

EPISODE 5

I remember going to chanakya cinema all the way from Karol Bagh in New Delhi about 25 Kms all alone to

 watch a movie . Normally we go with atleast some 15 people . This time I was alone. It wan English movie. I don't recollect the name . I cannot forget the experience I got in this hall. I was just out of college.

In the interval I went out to have some snacks but when I saw a paanwala I was tempted to take a Saadha Pan. I told him to make one. I happily chewed and enjoying and was going into the Hall. Suddenly my head was rolling. That paan guy had 

put thambhaku ( tobacco) in it and that too a strong one. I went into the Hall and people were shouting at me. Then I could make out instead of going to my seat I was climbing up to the stage where the screen was and the Hero was being flashed on my back. I had little sense to realise what I was doing and returned with great difficulty to my seat. Head was rolling ears have become hot.Oh my God. 

I think I slept off during the movie and when I woke up the Hall was empty. The cleaner yelled at me and I walked out withy senses back.

I could not forget this incident and decided never to have Paan if I go to watch movies or to Chanakya for that matter.

EPISODE 6

Some days are really bad

Nothing comes your way. You  get up early and go to brush your teeth,  the light goes off.

You open the toothpaste the lid falls into an inaccessible corner .

Sometimes you find the toothpaste has very little stuff and you need to press it hard and nothing comes out..

When we bought a new colour TV those days and the program is only Chithrahaar where film songs are telecast. That particular day they were showing all old songs which were in black and white

We spent so much money to go to a resort on the top of the hill to see sunset but it was fully cloudy that day 

You go to ATM and put your card for cash withdrawal and suddenly the power goes off and your card stuck inside and there is no power back up there. You wait for power to come back and your cards gets more inside the machine when the power comes 

EPISODE 7

Efficiency & punctuality are generally welcome. However , have you observed being very punctual and very efficient sometimes irritates you ..Yes it does to me..I have a friend who even after retirement keeps up the time. When I have to go with him ,I would ask " what time you will come". He would say " 10.43" and he would be there that time .it irritates you to the core .

House keeping maids come  to pickup garbage from our door step and knock the door exactly at 11  Am every day. I used to think why they are so disciplined. Why not they skip a day . It irritates me 

We used to have a very rough and tough school master who taught us English   I had never seen him take leave. He would never miss the class and it irritates me.

I wonder why people are so disciplined  and efficient. Let them take lives easy and relax .what is the big deal .

EPISODE 8

 I was in my office .a truck owner came for payment for his delivery . He came in and asked a staff " I want to meet the Accounts Manager  Where is he?" .The staff said he has gone out. Then the owner of truck  asked " who is looking after him " .The staff mischievously said " of course his family ". The owner got annoyed "who is looking after him here ". The staff said " no one " .You have to wait for sometime". the man asked innocently " how many times ?"

EPISODE 9

We were young college students just out of school Year 1969 Delhi..

Me and my friend Jaggi used to go to college together by public transport. Out from the college , young blood ,lot of courage  Jaggi used to raise up his chest, collar up with a chain on his neck and sporting a beard. Used to look like a Dad's.. We were waiting for the Bus . Got into the bus and we entered the bus. As we entered Jaggi pointed to some one and said to me , " Yaar Isko Maarna Hai ( I want to beat  this man) I said " Nahi Yaar aaj  mood nahi hai hai ( no Yaar no mood today ). Peeche see Ek thagda sardar said " Mood Banawoon" .( One well built sardar frm nowhere said " should I make your mood) .we quickly and stealthily slipped out if the bus in the next stop

EPISODE 10

After a lot off thinking I visited the Dentist as my two teeth were giving trouble and paining,  Ther Dentist removed my two theeth and  fixed two dentures  after two three sittings I was stasnding in my Balcony peeping down.  Suddenly my two teeth (denture) slipped from my mouth and fell down to 

the basement of my apartment,  I had only a day before got this fixed from my Dentist.  I immediately went down to look for it.

While I was searching my apartment security came up to me and asked "Kya Dhoond Rahe Ho" What should I say to him.  I said 

"Das rupia coin gir gaya hai" .  He also joined me in the search,