you are what you think

We meet many people in real and virtual world every day. Some strangers turn into friends. Some are forgotten. In pre-internet era, we often used to lose track of the people we had met during a journey. Strangers open up to us just as much as our friends, sometimes even more for whatever reason. I came across some wonderful strangers during my travel who left mark in my mind. I used to travel from Howrah to Asansol, my home town, every alternate Friday during my graduation days in early 2000.  This used to be six hour long train journey. I loved to watch the scenic beauty of rural Bengal from the window of the compartment and feast on snacks and tea. Some days some co-passenger used to catch my attention.  One day I met a middle-aged woman who was unnaturally silent and almost oblivious of the surrounding. Few hours passed. Slowly she regained her composure and noticed my curious stare. We started talking. After few pleasantries she opened up to me. She lo...

Another decade is coming to an end. We have spent 10 more years from our life. Time is a very precious resource. We can not predict how much more time is left to live. We can only make tentative plans to spend it more wisely. Year end is a time when we wish to put a break to our normal routine and make merry with our near ones. Some of us make new year resolutions. Some pause to reflect on the passing year. We grow wiser with years only if we learn from the past. We grow graceful with time only if we recognize blessings around us. The chilling bright weather and the festive spirit of December always energize me to undertake some interesting task. I spent most of the Decembers of this decade in preparation of something new. The last December preceding this decade was quite busy as I was returning from Canada and settling new home in Bangalore. The first December of this decade kept me busy in taking care of my ailing mother in hospital. The next December I was inching towards go...

Rabindranath Tagore once said losing faith on fellow beings is a severe sin. Ramkrishna Paramhansa used to believe that not trusting is much more painful than getting hurt after trusting. Only mutual trust can bring harmony in any relationship. World would have been much better place if we could have placed trust on each other easily. We are taught precautions while growing up since our society is an unsafe place. I deem myself lucky as I met enough number of strangers on roads, buses, trains who did not cause any harm to me. Rather I cherish some beautiful memories with these strangers. By saying so I don't deny the fact that I also experienced my share of unwanted touch from some ugly strangers.  Since past few years India has seen many cases of brutal rape and murder. These are the ones which get media attention or get reported officially. Many more cases don't get reported due to shame or lack of trust in the judicial system. Some people feel there is steep rise of s...