Panjab

This post is a bit late. I have been meaning to write it ever since I visited the state but just didn't get about doing so.
There is something about that state and it's people. From the minute you get on the train from Delhi the vibrancy, positivity and buoyancy of the co-passengers hits you. Specially when you compare it with the somewhat sullen and slightly malnourished variety you come across in trains traveling to the Hindi heartland. Or the serious, silent, subdued and very disciplined kind you come across down South.
Even for a train starting at 11pm there was so much energy and positive vibrations that you can't help but get affected by it. Everyone is helping everyone and food is being passed all around, even if you have met for the first time.
The degree of hospitality one comes across is pretty amazing specially when you have been an inspector/examiner since long, are pretty cynical and have been numbed by the usual pretense of welcome you see everywhere. How everyone is ready for a chat, concerned about your stay and leaves no stone turned in hospitality makes you a believer.
There are other communities who are good in making you feel comfortable, but a punjabi does it in a way in which it seems that nothing will give them greater joy then to see you happy.

Past life & forevermore........

Only once in your life, I truly believe, you find someone who can completely turn your world around. You tell them things that you’ve never shared with another soul and they absorb everything you say and actually want to hear more. You share hopes for the future, dreams that will never come true, goals that were never achieved and the many disappointments life has thrown at you. When something wonderful happens, you can’t wait to tell them about it, knowing they will share in your excitement. They are not embarrassed to cry with you when you are hurting or laugh with you when you make a fool of yourself. Never do they hurt your feelings or make you feel like you are not good enough, but rather they build you up and show you the things about yourself that make you special and even beautiful. There is never any pressure, jealousy or competition but only a quiet calmness when they are around.
You can be yourself and not worry about what they will think of you because they love you for who you are. The things that seem insignificant to most people such as a note, song or walk become invaluable treasures kept safe in your heart to cherish forever. Memories of your childhood come back and are so clear and vivid it’s like being young again. Colours seem brighter and more brilliant. Laughter seems part of daily life where before it was infrequent or didn’t exist at all. A phone call or two during the day helps to get you through a long day’s work and always brings a smile to your face.
In their presence, there’s no need for continuous conversation, but you find you’re quite content in just having them nearby. Things that never interested you before become fascinating because you know they are important to this person who is so special to you. You think of this person on every occasion and in everything you do. Simple things bring them to mind like a pale blue sky, gentle wind or even a storm cloud on the horizon. You open your heart knowing that there’s a chance it may be broken one day and in opening your heart, you experience a love and joy that you never dreamed possible. You find that being vulnerable is the only way to allow your heart to feel true pleasure that’s so real it scares you. You find strength in knowing you have a true friend and possibly a soul mate who will remain loyal to the end. Life seems completely different, exciting and worthwhile. Your only hope and security is in knowing that they are a part of your life.”
― Bob Marley

Two generations

One on the laptop and the other engrossed in a vernacular newspaper.
Bengali couple with a 5 year old boy on the side berth.
A guy working in DHL on the top berth and staying in Gomti Nagar like me.
A lady two young boys on the other upper berth.
Cross section of Indian middle class.

I do have a lot of spare time at hand in this train journey.
Now I am hungry.
Oops! The pic is upside down.....

I need some sleep...

I need some sleep
You can't go on like this
I try counting sheep
But there's one I always miss
Everyone says, I am getting down to low
Everyone says, you just gotta let it go...

I need some sleep
Time to put the old horse down
I am in too deep
And the wheels keep spinning round
Everyone says, I am getting down to low
Everyone says, you just gotta let it go...

Evil Me

I wonder how I am perceived as an external examiner. I feel that I am pretty relentless and go after the poor guys with a hammer amd tong. Today I wasn't even the senior most but I just took charge and went for it in IDS Bareilly.
I am incisive, I am wicked and I am the worst when I start asking questions in hindi. You can really let it roll in that language.
I don't believe in free lunches. If you are going to get your Masters you will have to earn it.
A few tears and a certain amount of personal humiliation is the price is you gotta pay.
I am mean!