Delhizen's Blog

We all know what it takes to be & become a professional. But the new buzzword is ‘Gofressional’!

She can be a CEO or a Starter. The one who sets new parameters of professionalism with a  freshest approach to work and not tread the beaten path laid by her predecessors.

She does what it takes to achieve more than the set target and set the notch higher each time! She is available, visible, team worker & a builder. She talks that make sense and will not create a hollow impression by throwing lingoes & jargons at you. She believes in shaping up ideas into a concept. For her it doesn’t stop where the results meet the objectives but it lays foundation for the next steps. The outcome may not be tangible each time but it proves to be a benchmark for those next in line.

So, tell me what does the Gofressional attitude mean to you?

1984 is recorded as another landmark year in the Indian history. Operation Blue Star, followed by assassination of Indira Gandhi then PM of our country by her own body guards which lead to the riots and Sikhs were butchered by thousands in cold blood (the Govt white papers are not to be believed for the exact number because the truth is always under reported). All this lead to terrorism in Punjab that went on for so many years and eventually the socio-economic development of the state collapsed.

A few years ago one of my close childhood friends who moved to the US for further studies and now works there asked for my opinion on ‘Sikh terrorists, the demand for Khalistan, people making jokes about them, the unsaid but according to him evident grudge between Hindu-Sikh’.  And it made me wonder that if I know the history & culture of the religion right then the Sikhs were those who decided to join Guru Gobind Singhji’s army to protect people from the Mughals. He laid down the principle of 5 Ks and surname of Singh & Kaur as per the gender. So, if that’s the only differentiator then why would anyone hold any grudges against their own people?

Revisiting and talking about all that happened back then is not going to change anything. Demand for independent states has given birth to militancy and terrorism everywhere and we are no exception.

The ones waiting for justice continue to wait. Commissions, reports, fake promises, Govt talking in the air and expressing regret about whatever happened only adds to the misery of those who were left to fend for themselves and lost what mattered.  An elderly man who suffered the brunt rightly said, “Digging out skeletons from the closet only haunts. What we need to talk and address is that riots in the name of religion shouldn’t happen but that is not on anyone’s agenda.”

The last issue of Outlook magazine (dated Oct 19, 09, their 14th anniv- special) has many articles on Operation Blue Star before and after, so for those who want to read more can refer to it. I just want to refer to this one picture which they have used of a building owned by a Sikh family in Daryaganj that was set ablaze by the mob back then. I wish the magazine along with that article had also featured a picture of that building as of today where a Sikh family of many generations is still running a store that I have grown-up visiting, a sign that they have moved on.

I never saw myself more of a Hindu or less of a Sikh because my Indianess gives me an identity where ever I go and my parents have taught me that religion is my personal choice and not an issue for a debate in public.  Oh yes, If the joke is about one like me then I take pride in making you laugh that’s what we are meant to do serve others where ever we go and no better way than making someone crack-up with a joke .

 Noted author & journalist Khushwant Singh a few years ago in one of his interviews said “Raj Karega Khalsa not with Kirpan but with Pen”. What better way to explain the glories of Sikhs in India and the world over. I just wish others too understand the meaning behind it and move on…

The day dawned; Simran was rather quiet while getting dressed. She wore a simple pink Lucknavi churidar kurta. Mrs. Singh walked to her room and said put some kajal and lipstick at least before you meet the lad, ma this is me and I don’t use make-up and stepped out. Around 5.15 she left from work, drive to The Oberoi would take her at least half an hour.  She was resisting really hard to turn back her car and run away but such a crazy idea will lead her no where.

Sitting in the lobby with the latest book she was reading ‘Passages- Predictable Crisis of Adulthood’, when a tall guy approached her dressed in a formal suit with Rayban sun glasses still on he said, Hi Simran! I am Jai, Jai Rathod and a smile spread across his face. Simran silently nodded her head and they when to 360, the most happening Coffee Shop in Delhi. On any other day she would have made an announcement about going there but today was different. To avoid the awkward silence Jai started the conversation, recognizing you was easier than I thought, and must I mention your latest pictures on FB helped. I really like Delhi; wonder why people crib about the traffic, pollution etc, believe me the city has a soul and that actually attracted me to it. My friends think I am crazy but that’s a fact. No, that’s not crazy at all I love all this about Delhi too. Clearly, having caught her attention he continued. Listen, I should apologize for all that happened at your place I didn’t know my parent will reach your home with the entire family and though I have said this earlier I am in no hurry to tie the knot. Simran just nodded. So you are into the world of imagination, graphics, illustrations et al. Each story, a different perspective, new colours it must be fun to create images from scratch unlike our work where every thing is pre-programmed including people. Simran, laughed, her first since they got talking. You enjoy cooking or eating more he asked. Obviously the latter though now my mother frets over the fact that I never step into the kitchen. Basically I let others do it all. I do what I am good at, works well that way!

Hmm, so how come you got your neighbours go bride hunting for you? The US tag with a Boston Univ stamp should have got you many on matrimonial sites and even in your friends circle? With a cocked eyebrow Jai answered, are you hinting that we should not have been here in first place? See it is simple I don’t know where I will meet the right girl and once I do then the how’s and whys don’t matter, what do you think? Over a cup of Café Mocha, Hot Chocolate and Club Sandwich they discussed many issues from religion to terrorism from working hours to friends, responsibilities at home and importance of financial independence. Simran volleyed at him a series of topics and much to her surprise was impressed with his awareness on issues. Jai too made it clear that a relationship is based on compatibility, transparency and most importantly he did not believe that woman of the house should be left alone to take care of the chores, the secret of a happy life is in doing things together and not leading an independent life, he added firmly. She was taken aback when Jai asked her out for dinner the next day. See, Jai I am really flattered that you want to meet up again but I don’t want my family and yours to get any ideas about this. Frequent meetings and they will think we are getting married. I hope you understand.

I do and that’s why I suggest why tell at home. Come-on it is not that you and I tell our parents about everyone we meet for coffee. But you asked me out for dinner. Well, Jai added with a smile the plan can always be altered to suit our convenience. They met again next day, Simran insisted on paying the bill and he didn’t argue and it became a routine to get off work early and meet for coffee or an early bite. A few weeks later a plan for the weekend was in place she planned to introduce him to Swati over brunch at Potpurri. Well, how bad can it be to meet someone everyday, talking over the phone and exchanging a few harmless messages. She had also made it clear to him that she doesn’t plan to quit her job or become a part-time she just loved what she did and it did not come with a set time there can be late nights. The concept of grand Indian marriages is what put her off, she wanted to have a simple wedding with very limited people, and Jai finished the sentence for her, a gala affair meant inviting all those who didn’t matter and vice-versa. They complemented each other so well but she did not want to admit it, at least not yet. Post brunch Swati nudged Simran and winked as she gave a thumbs-up and they giggled. While Jai looked at them wondering if he missed the joke and slipped his hand through Simran’s for the first time as they crossed the road together.

Later that night, Mrs. Singh came to Simran’s room fishing for an update. Have you two spoken again, should I call his mother? She just looked up at her mother, smiled and continued to read the latest book she had picked, ‘PS: I love you!’ And the mobile beeped- one new message.

Simran, can you come back from work by 3 today, said Mrs. Singh, Simran’s mom. You know my day starts around that time but what’s the occasion. I hope you are not expecting me to chauffeur you to Mehta aunty’s kitty. Suddenly dropping the volume of her otherwise loud voice as if the walls really have ears, she said Mr. & Mrs. Rathod are visiting us today evening and they want to meet you. Me but why and never heard of them before.  They are your US wali chachi key massi’s neighbors from Mumbai; their son is working in an International bank with an MBA from Boston University and will be moving to Gurgaon. Oh no mother, no meet the match thing. Don’t argue do as told.3 means 3 and wear the read saree I got for you last month.

A Rajput Rathod let him come and taste the medicine, Simran mumbled under her breath grabbed an apple and left for office. Speed dialed Swati’s number (Simran’s best friend),rishta aya hai. Unlike last time when everyone got upset with her for saying no, this time the game plan was in place. Meet the guy, entertain him by meeting for coffee, share over the top plans of a great career, late night work shifts as an art director for a weekly magazine, no interest in home tasks like cooking, habits of being a late riser and eventually to settle with 3 kids where the husband plays a major role in changing the diapers to driving the kids to school. A perfect combination to make him say no and the phone rang, be home by 3 reminded Mrs. Singh, I will be, said Simran with a naughty glint in her eyes no one could see.

So what time are they coming 7pm. What and you made me leave my work. Dress up smartly I have taken out matching jewelry to go with your saree.

Simran went to her dad, a rather quiet man, dada what if they say yes, he looked up and said then you will get married to Jai. Oh! The royalty is called Jai, she thought when her dad spoke again, Simran the boy is really good, chachi told your mother. Please take it seriously this time and don’t run away. Shaddi toh karni hai beta. Hmm! Simran was ready before 7 and all the house helps were trying to humor her including her best friend Swati. You never know babes he may be the one. He can’t be the one. And how can you say that? He came in midst of my smooth plan and what kind of guy is he, depends on his neighbors and all to find him a girl.

 7.15 and no sign of the khandan. They are not even punctual how can, Simran had not completed the sentence when the bell rang. Welcome bhaisaab, bhabiji .meet my younger brother, his wife, daughter Alekha, and our mother and bapuji. I was sitting in my room and chotti our maid was giving all updates, didi 7 log hein. puri barat layein hain kya? And chotti giggled!

As I entered the sitting area, everyone suddenly went quiet. Is my saree not in place, why are they looking at me like that? Scanning me top to toe, thought Simran in her head. Hi! I am Alekha, Jai Bhaiyaa’s sister. Everyone got up except the grandparents. Hello, beta, we have been waiting to meet you. Your chachi talk so fondly about you and all Simran was thinking how long will it go on. A volley of questions so what are your interests, which college, why didn’t you go for a Masters. What do you do at work, blah blah blah! and as Simran was about to ask so where is Jai Mrs. Singh eyed her to keep quiet. Ladki thodi sanvali hai, said the granny and Simran could feel her cheeks going red. Mrs. Rathod spoke hamein ladki pasand hai ab toh aap bas rishta pakka karo. And everyone broke into a song of congratulations. Simran could feel lost in the crowd and she broke away and announced loudly but wait, and all heads turned towards her. I have not met Jai we have not seen or spoken to each other. Aunty I really appreciate that you will like to accept me as part of your family but I need to sort out and discuss many things before we go ahead and even talk about marriage and I am sure Jai too will be surprised if you fix him up with someone he has not even met.

Taking the situation in his hands Mr. Rathod spoke, of course beta after all it is your life we are talking about here. You must meet Jai, take your time and decide. I will ask Jai to call you later today and fix a time and date to meet you and he put his hand around Simran’s shoulder to comfort her as tears filled in her eyes.

With no appetite left for dinner and a clouded mind, Simran hit the bed and switched off her lights. Tears softly started rolling from her eyes, and her phone rang. 11.45 pm, unknown number not wanting to talk to anyone and she disconnected the call and turned away her face. The phone rang again and she answered it with an obvious irate voice. Hi! Simran this is Jai. Jai from? What is this about? Jai Rathod. My parents came over to your place today evening. Sorry to call you so late, actually I just got free and my dad wanted me to call you today itself. Guess I made it in time. He expects me to laugh, thought Simran. Thanks to him I am in this situation. It is okay Jai tell me. I know- I Know my mum must have spoken directly about you and me getting hitched as of tomorrow. But I want to put your worries to rest I am in no such hurry. Lets meet over coffee, talk, get to know each other and then decide and yes, I will handle things at home, don’t worry! I am new to this city, so where do you think we can meet. And Simran immediately blurted out The Oberoi 360 that’s my favourite Coffee Shop and easy for you to locate. She could sense a suppressed laughter in his voice. So day after tomorrow at 6.30 pm, can I pick you up from somewhere? No, thanks. Goodnight.

Simran told her family about last nights call, everyone in the family was as excited as if the match is fixed and it was getting on her nerves. She was busy making a mental note of all the questions she was going to ask, things she was going to tell him. If everything goes by her plan she will be out of this situation in the next two days. Simran’s phone had not got as many calls on her birthday as she had in last two days getting best wishes from cousins, advices from massis, mami, and of course the beloved chachi thanks to whom she was in this mess. Simran mujhey toh tum Banarsi Sari lekar dena! Mrs. Singh walked in to Simran’s room a night before she was to meet Jai with a plate of fruits. Don’t take stress else you will get dark circles, eat this. MOM! Can I at least sleep in peace. He is no Prince of Wales that I should give him so much importance.  To be continued….

We all have secretly wished and hoped to have our own genie, someone who will appear out of no where and say ‘Your Wish is My Command’! Believe it or not, but I actually found a Jeanie in an old rum bottle. Rusted and lazy, that’s what happens when you have not worked for over 500 hundred years he tells me coyly.

 I found the bottle lying under the old Banyan tree in the graveyard next to my house. I like to sit under shades of the trees there, so don’t be surprised as to what I was doing in a graveyard. I don’t know how the bottle came there though, but it was shaking around itself and caught my eye. When I picked it up, I thought I had seen a ghost which made me jump in excitement ( I always complaint to my parents that what’s the point of having a house next to a graveyard when I can’t have any ghost like Casper as friends). I hurriedly opened the bottle instead of a ghost came out a geanie. He says due to old age he cannot recall his name so we mutually decided to refer him as Mr. G.

Now, Mr. G told me that he has powers to fulfill 5 wishes before he goes back into the bottle for another 500 yrs. Since I found him in a public place where not many come and those who do can’t make wishes , I would like to share it with you all. Now- now don’t raise your eyebrows wondering why am I being all nice and generous; this is me ! So yeah, drop in your wishes and I will present them to Mr. J, let’s see who’s come true! He is a little boastful about his powers so likes to have options to choose from (sounds like a lucky draw to me).

I have made mine, so that means 4 more to go and he will grant them all at one go. 

Advice:  make no such wishes that grant me a wish of 3 more wishes etc. His past experience with humans has made him smart  

PS: Btw this does not come with an gurantee, okay… so please don’t hold me responsible. Me like you is trying my luck with the ‘genie in a bottle’.