Live.Laugh.Love.

"Every journey matters. It adds to the existential experience Life offers." Although my roots lie in Bhubaneswar, I have always been amazed of beauty in the stark barrenness of the desert lands. Thanks to a boring job in Pune, I was hunting for a chance to travel. And so, when I was invited to join some friends in Jaisalmer, my excitement knew no bounds, as I hadn’t visited the city yet. After a short flight to Jodhpur, we began the road trip to Golden City. One of the friends had an SUV, which meant we had no hassle of booking a cab. We went to his village, near a railway station called Bhagat Ki Kothi. After refreshments and light snacks, we started for the highway. Suddenly, my tablet dropped a notification. Yes, bosses never leave your trail completely. It was a work email, with directives for a presentation I needed to make. No problemmos! I said to myself as I opened Powerpoint on the tablet, transformed it into a laptop by attaching the keyboard segment, and finishe...

"As time turns every canvas to rags, Some things hold on while others fade.." It's one of those times when you are cleaning up the house, or getting rid of old things, when suddenly something falls down from a diary.. or a notebook.. that catches your attention. You pick it, and as you see it you are transferred to a few years back- to a string of events connected with that memorabilia. Stewart School, Bhubaneswar. The spark associated with these three words, have yet been and will ever remain, one of the most cherished. When I try to explain and understand the reasons – I realize, that there aren’t any that help to rationalize my feelings and yet there is this understated delight associated with the 7 years of schooling. Glorious indeed! I heard that the Silver Jubilee Celebrations comprised of pan Indian dance formats, Shakespearean plays, Science Exhibition and much more. Must have been another astounding show, but at least I had the privilege of being a part of the G...

2.00 AM. I did not know how I woke up that day. At that time. But I was eager to go to Keonjhar, with friends Abhijit and Baijayanti(accompanied by her sister, her heavyweight brother and a newly wed Bradhna sir and his beautiful wife). True, I did not like it when Abhijit was adamant to take me along, but I gave in beacuse both were good friends of mine, and I like to travel a lot. I got ready quickly, and packed whatever I got my hands on(I am not that much of a good packer, though.) I put a lot of dry food(thanks to my papa), and somehow got myself ready before 3.00 AM. Abhijit and I, both went to Baijayanti's house, as from there we had to start our journey, in their new Maruti Omni, which they had got from Lalchand Jewelers. December early mornings, then, were truly chilly. Thanks to my 2 kilo Woodland's full fur jacket, I did not feel that much of a cold. Actually, I was sweating from the inside.When we got out of the city, the driver pressed the accelerator to the ful...

Maybe one day we could go hand in hand in the golden road I reach at yours' before you come And I'd be waiting at your door If I could, a few years rewind, Both of us would have more time I don't know when to start or for the matter when to stop My luck's like a tiny sentence with a billion big full-stops My tainted eyes see light But I'm still in the dark Since we've gone far I am lost, i guess, without a trace I dream about all, and then I can only see your face I look around everywhere but  It's you I can't replace I feel cold yet again I long for togetherness If I could write you a song To make you fall in back again I would already have had you near me all my beautiful life I was the only man who knew you, You didn't like cos you thought you're cool without me in your life I might act as if i dont care But actually i'm going nowhere And I can only play the one part And sit a...

Today, while chatting with friends, I suddenly heard an old song playing from a radio somewhere near, " Babuji dhire chalna.. pyaar me zarra sambhalna.. " I instantly remembered the days of vivid bharti and DD-1. The magic of listening to those songs is something which can’t be described in words. There is always a binding force as what would be the next song played. And as I listened to the song I remembered our good old days of Chitrahaar. I remember, we used to count how many songs have been played in that particular episode. And the long wait for the “new song” which usually used to be the last song of the episode! Compare it with todays' infinite rash music played by numerous channels, continuously 24 hrs.. And add to the misery (or may be a BOON) now there is piracy, download those songs and take them along with you wherever you go.. That one hour “Disney hour” showing Tale Spin and Duck tales and today’s infinite cartoon channels all usually showcasing superm...

This is another one of those phases which I would definitely like not to forget. during a comparatively smaller period than the previous one, in which I was almost alone, categorically saying, I had buzzed into one of those sweet little gems on the internet.. orkut, to be specific. Those days, virtual friendships were at an all time low in India, facing much hyped criticisms. But somehow our relationship clicked, and you know what? The following three pieces definitely describe the in-fact-best-ever-virtual-friendship ever experienced by me. We've always been together, we did everything with laughter, we thought it was forever. when I was in danger you knew how to ease my fear, you were always there to be my savior. at first we were strangers, until we came closer, and now we are together. but time flows like a river. it became complicated and faster, until we realized that we're older. and that is what is keeping us apart, I was here, and you were there. but ...

Below is part of the mail, or mostly the full mail; I received from my best friend, after reading it I was.. I even couldn't think of anything. My eyes were watery. Why does this happen to me all the time? " Hi.. I've got a sad news for you..Last nite meri younger cousin sis ko orkut pe kisi ne kuch keh dia....galat keh dia ..u noe..kaise kaise log hote hain...she told her parents..family mein issue ban gaya.. n aaj my dad asked me to delete my orkut n fb accnt..even if i'll have..tab bhi sirf known ppl ko add karne ki permission milegi..i dont want mere character ke against family mein koi kuch bhi kahe..i hope u understand...so i'm deleting my accounts in a day or two..ye address bhi shayad delete ho jaye...kabhi meri yaad aaye then do write on ur blog...tumhara blog maine khud banaya tha..tumhari queen of dreams ko maine apne haathon se sajaya tha..keep it olways as my memory with u..I ve been shedding down tears this afternoon..but I'm sorry...i broke th...

With due apologies to my best buddies with whom I talked all through that night, I put forth my first real (albeit, a little funny) experience of what I thought must be a juicy slapstick long late night talk over the phone. Well, you guys check out for yourself. "Good Morning, Sweet Dreams!!!" This was how our 5 & a 1/2 hours late night telephonic conversation was going to end. It might have even ended before about 2 hours. But, " Ae let’s not go to sleep right now, we must watch the sun rising!" As Fate had its own way, my brain had to conjure up more bizzare lines to withstand all the crazy stuff put forward by them. " Chalo lets play Rapid Fire," she said. "Pratik, are you asleep again?" "No, no, let’s start. Don't worry, I would definitely sing." If only I had little more practice, I thought. All those years of being a spoilsport in my school came to my mind as she had already started singing. No more ...

Once there was a little boy, full of innocent charm Who chased butterflies in gardens, green fields In his childish ecstasy, his eyes brimmed with dreams of catching colors in his little palm. So many times he used to catch them Those winged, lovely dreams In his innocent desire to own them he Used to keep them in crystal jars His little heart used to break the next morn When he used to see them lying lifeless In the floor without the soul, just the tiny bodies The little boy used to break into tears of pain. One day his mother saw him crying Strings of pearl rolling down young cheeks Knowing the reason she gently hugged him, and told him we can’t own everything we love There are free spirits, not meant for chains Spirits like them are most beautiful ones Everyone craves to own them as their own But they wither away at the touch of chains My darling little kid, if you truly love some one See what is best for her, what keeps her safe Don’t force yourself on her, let her fly to heaven Le...

Early morning sun is still to show up, Birds chirping, flying around busily mighty river tamed by human, flowing dispersed in crystal clear creeks. Serenely flowing parted by sand the sand below could be seen through it softly singing in a soothing voice cooling the morning wind with her cool. Standing on the bridge in early dawn waiting for the sun to rise in sky without a single worry for future moments a calm mind and soul at absolute bliss. Softly the eastern sky turns red the orange baby sun shows up turning the crystal water to pink softly removing the veil of morning mist.

Saturday, Sept. 5th- Today there was no mood for classes. Somewhere from the inside, my heart was inching to spend the day in a more interesting way. I almost leaped, when I heard about some friends talking about going to Puri on bikes. I instantly agreed. Bunked the college. Quickly got prepared with a towel, a bottle of water, extra clothes, and some three hundred bucks. The journey to Puri was.. kind of boring, cos we were late, and there were only two of us. so my bike whizzed past the 80 km/hr mark more than a couple of times. Even there was a bird, flying low.. that got severely injured when it smashed with the bike. All said and done, we reached Puri at 11 o'clock. There was always the local charm of Puri awaiting to welcome us. Puri. there are traffic squares, but people have their own rules. We straight away headed to the beach. The golden sands beach. It is nowhere near what it used to be a few years back, but the beach fever still clings on to our hearts. ...

One of those Days a few years ago, just more than 8 years ago- something hit my town. something hit my state. something hit my people. October was dying. People were preparing for the upcoming winter. Steady rains started pouring. Few alarms raised. Fewer warning bells. The days was usual. Wind kept charging. Rains kept teeming. Waters broke the walls. People were alarmed. But IT WAS LATE. It was Late. Trees were uprooted. Roads kept vanishing. Villages were disappearing. Millions were dying. Hopes vanquished. Prayers gone astray. Innocent Lives were Lost. My Land was drowning. It was the 05B. It was October 29. And it was the Super Cyclone. May be its true. That, Nature has always the Last Laugh.