Chetan Bhagat makes headlines by claiming to know what young India wants- jobs, girls and a social status. It isn't enough that he stereotypes everyone belonging to the female gender in his books, now he has just added a new nomenclature. Young India= males. So us women don't have a say at all, whether we want jobs or guys or even plain respect. I know many don't regard him as a great writer, but this statement is so foolish that even people like me who tend to take a neutral stand on the much debated topic of his writing ability can't help but feel disgusted.

To hell with him.

The Blind Boy

Tinkling trinkets, roaring trumpets

Whistling breeze

Rustling leaves

Aromas of cooking, soft satin,

Fragrant flowers

Pungent clovers

are familiar sensations

to a little boy

His life devoid of light

His eyes devoid of sight.

He's a blind boy

who stands in the planetarium.

The puzzled proprietor in his infinite wisdom

asks him-

"My dear little boy, how will you experience

the heavenly sights,

the meteors, comets and Mars?"

The boy smiles and replies

"Mr. Planet man, I'm not here to see,

I just like the idea of stars."

Book review: Dork

Book: Dork
Author: Sidin Vadukut
Penguin Books India
Rs. 199


This is the first book of the 'Dork' trilogy featuring Robin 'Einstein' Varghese, a management consultant with a  'God' complex. The book is in the form of diary entries; an interesting way of presenting the story to the reader. The entries chronicle the life of Einstein who gets himself into one stunning mishap into another. Einstein wants to make it to associate at his firm and get into the pants of his lady love, Gouri, all within a year. Whether he succeeds or not forms the crux of the story.


Sidin Vadukut creates a protagonist who is filled up to the brim with flaws. Einstein is a bumbling idiot, blundering his way through life. Yet, he's supremely confident in his abilities and in spite of his qualities reminding the readers of someone they might know in real life, he is likeable and therein lies the brilliance of his characterization. As a reader, you are cheering him on, every step of the way. It reminded me of another narcissistic titular character, (Dr. House, anyone?)


Something that did irritate me though were the management or consulting terms used freely in the book. Coming from a non-management background, I for one, could not figure out what the author intended to convey at times. It could mean that I'm dense though I hope not! Overall, it's quite a refreshing read, quite different from the books that I have read recently. And yes, Shahrukh Khan's dentist's accountant and Padmalaxmi's ex-husband's hairdresser are on the spot with their reviews on this one! Stumped? Read the back cover of the book for it's most 'ROFL' moment!

To Binga! My rock star! :)

Brett Lee has always been my favourite cricketer. And believe me, in India, that's a tough thing to admit in public, that a non Indian and that too an Aussie is your favourite cricketer. But the mention of Brett's name, however does not evoke as many extreme reactions as one might expect. It's a testimony to his greatness!

Brett was a passionate fast bowler and a thorough gentleman, a species rare to find these days. His fist pumps and million dollar smiles would make girls faint within seconds! And I will shamelessly admit, I am one of those girls, who would swoon at the mere mention of his name. I remember trying to meet him in my second year of MBBS. He had been on a visit to my city to conduct a cricket coaching camp at a boys' school. It was a requirement to have purchased a 'Boost' packet and producing it at the school gate to gain entry. My friend and I had forgotten to buy one, but the organizers let us in anyway. And there we were in the midst of little school boys, out to catch a glimpse of my hero! I couldn't gather up my courage to get his autograph that day, but I sincerely hope that some day I will meet him again.

Though my little school girl crush has disappeared over time, my respect for him has only grown. He will always be my first love, my hero and my most favourite cricketer. As he opens a new chapter in his life, let us all raise our glasses... To Binga! Here's wishing you all the very best in your future endeavours!

Love is...

Love is...
Feathery light,
delicate,
like wisps of dandelion.


Love is...
melodious harmony,
romantic,
like strums from a guitar.


Love is...
Whimsical memory,
mellifluous,
like tunes from a music box.


Love is...
Smooth and creamy,
delicious,
like coffee art.

Wet

Thunderous applause greets us

The dance of the water drops reminds me

of the joy I found in your arms on a rainy August night

Colourless spray clouds my vision,

celestial will combined with our arousing passion!

The drone of the waves, the hum of the waterfall

The drenched leaves, the defeated rocks

All witnesses to our perfection!

Clouds of grey gathered to congratulate

Rumbled their blessings 

Joined by the the reverberation!

Little drops form mighty whirlpools

Whorls of water

Swirls of currents

give way, drawn into the vortex

We arise wet, splashed with celebration!

Entwined fingers, heavy breaths

Moist lips, let's go with the flow

and where it will take us,

Downstream, 

away from the iron stranglehold,

away from nature's marvelous water show.

Picture: Courtesy

PS: Poem inspired in reality by Mumbai's monsoon, not something else ;)

The Mermaid

I am waiting for you

When you come by with your magical aura

There's a lingering beat, a longing glance

A tiny wave that tingles my spine.

You seem to know the effect you have on me

You tranquilize, you make me fantasize

You put me in a drug-less trance!

I get lost in your dreamy eyes, 

You are the reason behind the smile on my lips

The spring in my moves

Your touch leaves me breathless, I feel winded

like I have swum a thousand miles!

So I wait till your boat arrives

All around I see salty waves till infinity

In my world, the fishes dart

Around the coral reefs

It's a world more enchanting than you will ever see

I know you are coming for me

I will miss my world of aquamarine blue

I have given up it all, just to be with you.