M7- Villejuif Aragon

M7- Villejuif Aragon

 

It was a lovely day in Paris. Dark clouds drizzled intermittently, suns rays filtered though it and lit the heritage buildings, causing a mesmerizing effect of light and shadow. I felt as if they have been deliberately doing to to make sure Paris remains as beautiful as ever. I was waiting for rain to abate as I was suppose to travel to Villejuif, distant southern part of Paris and return same day in evening. It was a lovely morning to being a journey, and I did amid cold winds and drizzles.

In the late evening, while returning, I arrived at the Villejuif Metro station much before the departure time. It was the Metro Line 7, called as M7 that would take me back to my destination though the maze of underground tunnels,which has been built in Paris over the years. Since I had reached much before the departure time, I took a window seat in an empty M7 coach and awaited. In few minutes the coach was completely filled. People who arrived early took seats and latecomers stood with hope get one in the long journey.

It was my lucky day, the seat across me was occupied by two French girls, I would prefer to use adjective “gorgeous”. I wonders oh boy! That’s a wonderful journey I am going to have. I was too lost in charm to realize that seat next to me was now occupied by another girl, I guess she was French too. Who the hell cares, I was neither interested nor I was bothered about her. Only thing soothing was her body heat I could feel on my arms in the cold winter night, while the M7 ran past station to station in the dark tube.

I could not resist stealing few glimpse of the “gorgeous” One, I realized that they were talking in French, and made sure they were over heard by me. I was trying to figure out what they meant and what they were talking about, with my limited vocabulary which included only thank you , sorry, days of weeks and numbers.

There was light slight movement of hands by the girl sitting next to me, I turned my head and to my surprise she was staring at me. From my peripheral vision I could see that the girl sitting next to the One was too staring at me. I wondered, was some thing wrong. Did I make any gestures offensive to French people, I told to my self of course not. Only thing I ever did was moving my eye ball without moving my head, It was not a crime, and law does not punish for imaginations and intentions. Aah.. that was logical and valid argument, I smiled and moved my eye ball again toward the One.

The two girls, one sitting next to me and the Ones’ friend were both looking at the One., the One’s friend was explaining something to her and she was smiling. Certainly there was something wrong. They would say some words and sentences in French and smile, it was beyond my comprehension, but I could sense that I had certainly to do with me.

Reverie was broken, by another movement of hand by the girl sitting next to me. Untilnow she was comfortably seated by my side close, and now suddenly she had gain consciousness and was wary of me. Was I doing something wrong, is it a case of misunderstanding? Who the hell cared for her. I was more into the One, the girl sitting across me. By now, I could feel that both girls sitting in front of me were talking in loud voice to make sure that I could hear them amid the shattering sound of moving M7.

They had amazingly modulated their voice, between the tube and at station. Voice of them talking was clear, the topic of discussion was certainly me. I wanted to know, I was bounded by language barrier, so where they. They were trying hard to make sure that I heard and understood what they intend.

The scene had changed, after few stops, the girl sitting next to me was really uneasy. Constantly looking back and forth to me the One. Briefly the two girls sitting across me whispered among themselves. I could clearly see the facial expression of the other girl changing instantaneously and the One was smiling and looking at me, with he eyes fixed on to me. She was being told something in French by the other, but I believe she didn’t even listen to what was being said to her

Suddenly breaks of M7 made squeaking sound, and the M7 stopped at Opera Station. The situation had intensified by then, from fun to some thing serious. I saw something her eyes that I never had seen before , her eyes were shining, beaming with warmth and love but facial expression of joy was missing. Definitely it was not infatuation, love, attraction. What is going on here I wondered again.

The other girl was still explaining something to her but in subtle voice, but the One was not listening. I expanded my vision, around me and saw, seats were randomly occupied now, we had left many station by then, and train had speed to next station.

There was movement of hand between her bag. I felt as if she was going to take out something, but she stopped in mid way. There was some disagreement between the two friends I guess, the other girl was now looking out, though the M7 Glass window. I sensed the M7 brakes again, train stopped and I was to get down at next stop. Few of the seated passengers too had got down.

M7 picked up the pace and ran towards, Opera, as if it wanted to make sure that I don’t get any opportunity to talk to her and understand what she meant. I had a feeling of uneasiness, suddenly I saw movement of her hand in her large purse. She took her left hand out of her purse and extended it to me. It was a slender lovely hand with really beautiful fingers, with gold ring in her ring finger, perhaps with a diamond. I didn’t see., I was shattered. Oh GOD!

M7 had braked, I got up, I could only see her eyes follwoing me me while was was getting up and then she closed her eyes. Tears rolled down her cheeks, and she collapsed in to her friends arms. There was no use going further. I got down, didn’t look back. I too was crying, but within, didn’t had the courage like her.

Dark lanes in Paris

I walk alone in dark nights
Among serpentine lanes of Paris
Talking to shining cobble stones,
in Flickering lights and winter breeze

Stay for a while and talk to us, I heard them say
We haven’t spoken since ages, we have lots to tell
Secrets about sully, pope and stone,
Reason of Smile and of missing Notre-Dame bell

We were here in seine quay
Long before, came Gauls and Franks,
Now embedded here since ages, witnessed Versailles rise
and defeat of Capetians by Norman wise

Between the puffs and shroud of fog
We spoke of catacombs and Crown of Thorns
As custodians of Clovis remains, they knew each brick and wall
Knew Rage of Huguenots and reasons of Bastille fall

They remembered each day and heard every whisper
Scream of Saint-Barthelemy and Cry of Isabelle Romee
Seine meandering and Heard sully’s whims,
Liberation of Paris and Emmanuel ring

It was dawn, I had to leave
You will have to return someday, I heard them say
For that reason, three words of secrets we must keep.
True cross, waterloo and about Josephine weep

I said, I am traveler, I need to move on
Tell me these last ones, and I will be gone
Never to see u, in this life again
We are here and we will remain.
Were the last words I heard them say

Black Wax

This is Platform, I live here, i eat , sleep drinkn sometime even smoke, and may be i will die on the same bench, where the man is sitting right now and whoes boots i am polishing. I charge mere 5 five rupees that comes out to be about 0.02 dollar. Nothing has changed since i was borne, i didn't make any asset other than A brush, A can of polish and a gunny bag. I put my best efforts to atleast have three customers, to meet my need of three VADA PAVS, five rupees each three times a day. breakfast, lunch and diner. I live a lavish life style.


Every morning i try to get up early in the morning, to find some one in dire need to get his boot polished, As the sun rises the chances get slim as the other competitors get up and steal away the chances. Though they are my friends and i share the same platform, for me "business is business". I work very hard till 1.00 am i mostly enter the empty bogies and check for lost valuables/mobiles, purse, even the water bottles. Statistically change is 1/1000 though i try, may be the change i take is one i need.

Money is some thing i like. It smells good, feels good, looks good, and taste good (once in blue moon i go for chicken rice 15 rupess plate). People say my eyes sparkle as diamonds when i see money. I fast once a week. I dont believe in god, or any ritual. I fast when the booth polish runs out and i am suppose to buy a new can. It scared a hell out of me. It costs me Rs 20 for the cheapest one. (More than the cost of 3 vada pavs.).

I do dream big, VERY BIG, to have a lavish lunch, A full chicken and a rice plate. I never had in my life, It costs Rs. 60)(cost of 12 vada pavs, my three days meal). May be i will have some time.
Problem is as i am growing in arthematic progression my hunger is increasing with geometric progression.

RTI - RIGHT TO IGNITE

Thursday 22, June

It was a nice evening, sun setting towards the Arabian Sea, flock of birds returning to their nest against back drop of crimson sun. Every image was nothing but a silhouette. These were the few scenes that we, group of 6 people witnessed while our car rushed towards the office located very close to government building which was on fire. It was reported that fire has engulfed entire 4^th , 5^th and 6^th floor of the building. As we drove across the curved lane of marine drive,  I guess every one was thinking of things that were already burnt down, things that were burning, things that are waiting their turn, and things which would stand against the ravaging fire,

There were people, young couples, old couples totally pretending to be unaware of the surroundings, and completely ignoring the reason the people in police vehicles, fire fighters zipping past the marine drive. While the car was flying, heated discussion and argument began the circumstances that led to fire, was it intentional or accidental. What it was intended to burn to save what. 

Any way for us it was all very clear that even we considered the intensity of the fire as half of the, the intensity of news and rumours that were coming through nothing would have been left to save except pure carbon, Still there were lot of questions that remained unanswered. 

How it all start, what could be saved, assuming that the process of data recovery was initiated and few of the HDD were found intact what kind of data would be available. Would it be some thing classified that Mr Julian Assange would be interested in, or it would be songs, movies, spread sheets or financial  figures that would be of interest of shri. Anna Hazare or his movement against corruption , we were not sure. 

May be CBI would be interested in the those data. We never know. If we find every thing could be put online for the people of this country, for the people of Maharashtra. The information  can be put new dedicated website similar to to Wiki Leaks

The next question comes in mind is, what would be the domain name of the website?  Some one suggested….

www.bach-gaya-data.org , www.Jal-gaya-data.org, www.kya.bacha-kya.gaya.com

Some one too emotional said, hey think of the people who are dead!! Because there was fire, Some one interrupted him and said..LOOK u think of how many people would hanged and die if there wasn’t any fire.

Next day, most of the news paper reported that one of the factor that made difficult for fire fighters to control the fire was gas cylinders. If that was the case at least some where would have heard the blast of gas cylinders but no one did. So this scenario is improbable.

 “Right of information” was killed by “Right to Ignite”

Aanna Meri Jan

Hi Good morning, how was your Christmas. Mr MMRDA you know we have launched a nation wide movement to curb the corruption and I am glad that you have a ground which suits our requirement. Its my request to let us rent the MMRDA grounds for only three days.

oh. Mr Anna you are welcome, very much welcome, we would be honored , you have chosen our place, and you have chosen the right place. Well we shall really talk about the rent. It is very important for you and for me…… Well let me tell you it’s really good that you did not bring Kiran Bedi and kejriwal along with you, or else I wouldn’t had the chance to discuss our business that coolly and closely. You know we would definitely try to extend our all coordination even we would like to join your movement, but let me tell you it is really a difficult task and we will have to work very hard to rent you the ground. I hope u understand sir.

Oh yes Oh yes……I understand and I really appreciate your efforts but I just want to ground, The MMRDA ground nothing more than that..

No Mr Aana this is a great chance, and we are witnessing a history and we definitely want to be a part of it..

Ok Ok, I would be honored if MMRDA participates, do whatever you want to but just give us the ground for three days.

Oh sure Annaji………but you must be knowing…… the real estate rates in Mumbai, this is not Ralegan Siddhi, rates in Bandra-Kurla-Complex are really very high, and in these days of high inflation it is very difficult to survive, and the rising dollar rates are really pain in A### . you know electricity bills, telephone bills, gas bills, tuition fees, college fees, school fees, my god.. it is really very difficult to survive, we support your cause M.r Anna. I guess you are understating my point.

Oh yes oh yes know, and I appreciate your support to us, we would just take the MMRDA ground just for 3 days. Our team is expecting around 1 lakhs people to join us. It would be really great doesn’t it.

OH YEAH……. definitely it would be, 1 lakh is a quite good figure Mr. Anna , MMRDA really appreciate your cause and will support it. But you know the real issue is the real estate prices, MMRDA ground is the only available open space in the vicinity. And we charge hefty amount for the ground. You know real estate prices are very high. And you know electricity bills, telephone bills, gas bills, tuition fees, college fees, school fees, and rising dollar rates…. my god and IMF expects another great recession on the way. I guess you are understanding , you are understanding NA…. my point Mr. Anna

Yes, Yes, I agree what I am asking is only the ground and that too for just three days and I am sure there would be some concession for us. You know this movement is a nation wide movement and patriotic in nature. As an army man I have servered the nation with dedication and I have scarified my life for this country.

Yes, Yes I agree but…you know we too sacrify our life working here we face challenges like Inflation, bills, dollars I hope you are understanding my point Mr Anna, It is very difficult to survive these days, why don’t u understand Mr Anna… ok look we generally charge 50 lakhs for three days. Now you understand what I mean to say “we generally charge”. We would charge rent, that would give a heart attack.... Do you understand what I mean to say..

What????????????, 50 Laksh just for three days, don’t u think it is too high, we wouldn’t be able to bear that. I was expecting you to give us some concession, Concession, didn’t you hear I said “we generally charge”…what does that mean……. Why don’t you understand Mr ANNA ……….concession during these difficult time… of high inflation, rising dollars and ever rising bills,…….try to understand Mr Anna,

How would be go about it then, I feel 50 lakhs is too much,

Mr Anna you seen to be in quite good health and you seen to be intelligent at this age… You know the government, ruling party is congress and the CM is a congress man and we are headed by him. How on earth they would be pleased to let you agitate against them on the ground that belong them. Aren’t u understanding my point Mr. Anna will charge you pretty heavy fee for your campaign.

Mr anna.. I feel is you are quite experience in your field, you are fighting corruption, you now how the government machinery works, you got to put some oil and grease to make the machine move, you are understating it NA….., Mr Anna. You understand the real estate prices are high, inflation, us dollars, bills, it is difficult to survive on the meager salary these days.

Ok Mr. Aana look, we can manage it in 7 lakhs for 3 days and u know what you are suppose do from your side. I have gone a great length from reducing the rent from 50 lakhs to 7 lakhs, now is your turn to go to a great length.

One more thing Mr Anna we all in MMRDA are going to join you in the movement, we are completely against the corruption, people in the authority too, how come we can let corruption occur when every penny goes in to the pockets of those politicians and nothing percolates to us. At least we shall get some thing, isn’t it? we are completely against the corruption,

Oh yes yes I understand.. do u know why I have launched this camping , u know I have been greasing the government machinery since I started working.. now is have nothing …. I don’t have house, I don’t have money to eat,… what else I can do…

I have no choice but to fast….it’s my destiny… millions of Indians sleep hungry … every night… I am also trying the experience fasting…. With noting in hand and no where to go.. this is the only business I have got.

So tell me frankly how much grease you want.

This article does not intend to offense any person or any organization. it is just an article

Pizza Order 373

Pizza order 373

Rain rain go away
don’t come
Till dominos learn some hygiene sense
Or till the flies learn not to make us ill
without our will…
Or till the pizza guy keep the table clean
To lee me sit with ma gal,
And enjoy a pizza meal


Pizza delivery experts, they boast themselves indeed true very true, but I guess they should rename themselves to “illness delivery experts”.

It was June 11, 20011 I decided to go for a nice warm cheese filled pizza and then take a walk home in rain. It was a lovely idea. But I never knew that would chance what I feel about the pizza shop dominos round the corner.

It was around 10.0 pm I reached dominos it seemed to be a nice and cozy place since I was enjoyed pizza from the very first day I came to Goregaon. I still have the memory of my first pizza in Goregaon Dominos, but has been over written now.

Well I reached Dominos, it had same tables, same AC, same light bulb , same pizza guys who behave differently on every visit, as if they are doing us a favour forgetting that we do the a favour by visiting them. Any way that has never discouraged me to stop going there.
Only thing I noticed that has changed was a blue coloured plastic sheet covering the open space where we use to sit and enjoy open air, watched the traffic on the road next to us start directly above us and enjoy natural breeze not because we liked it because Ac said to me I am out of order please bear with me…so was I.

Coming to the incident on that fateful day, I had ordered the cheese bust pizza yummuuyyyy with a coke and that too with a discount coupon, noting could be more exciting than to get discount. Finising order we were handed over a bill numbering 373.

Having finished ordering we tried to make us comfortable out side the enclosed space with that non working AC, under the blue apron. I missed the sky, other thing that was different was I could hear rain splashing down on the road and the apron , which I had not heard while I was ordering my pizza, and AC was hanging on the wall crucified like Jesus Christ. Sorry dude. Talk to your owner.

The table we placed ourselves was one of 6 that had enjoyed serving us many times over the period of 2 years. I don’t remember it was his which turn. Never mind… I was happy to see that none of the table was empty. It was either occupied by humans or by files with their mum, daddies, kiddos, girl friends, uncle, aunts, … sorry I couldn’t differentiate their age by looking that them nor did I any intention to ask. I wished they could have left my table as soon I occupied it.

I had my patience for long 10 minutes, they were unrelenting enjoying, it seemed that they were followers of Baba Ramdev and Anna Hazare and had ended their fast and had ordered pizza to break fast. Sorry guys go on… five more minutes to go for my pizza.

It was enough, Hey guys why don’t you go now, it my turn, now enough is enough, Hey Man please would u ask these guys to leave I said to one of the dominos guys, he nodded his head as if I had asked him to do a crime.

Any way another 5 minutes passed, other tables surrendered by humans, were taken over by the flies. We humans were reduced to minority. I feel dominos can have scheme to book the entire shop for their birthday, anniversary parties, that would earn fortunes.

Suddenly a fly past my nose, saying these dominos guys are corrupt like government officers and politician, and they have been bribed to let us have uninterrupted fun. It was a challenge, I cried for justice, which I would say was a behavior against a civilized society. But I couldn’t help. Sorry Domino Dude.

Finally a guy came to pick up the trash lying on the table, reluctantly he removed it, but couldn’t dare to wipe the sticky, cheese, ketchup off the table, hah!! I forgot he has been bribed.

Next guy came with pizza , coke and paper napkins, I asked for more paper napkins to cover corner of the table, where the flies were hovering with intention to hover munch longer. But I had decided to fight for my right to privacy.

Hot pizza box, has made stomach jump, and it was like a trophy after a ordeal. Well box was opened oregano , chili flakes were sprinkled, and Hey!!!!! where is the ketchup………I again shed my civilized personality, the pizza guy replied,.. sorry no ketchup, we don’t have it in stock now… oh!! This confirms that they have been bribed and ketchup has been black marketed for these flies.

Anyway finally the first piece of the pizza was torn apart and first drop of cheese trickled out, It seemed I can enjoy little cheese in cheese bust pizza as the recession is finally over from India and dominos in particular.

While we were having our pizza , I realized that not all files are uninvited, quite few of them work here , they have been employed by this dominos branch. They were employed to taste the each pizza dough bolls brought in by the dominos guys .Just as souvenirs I had to click the pictures of flies at work. It shows how smallest of species can help so called superior humane race, and let these guys serve mankind with delicious pizza.

Ah ha!!! There is the secret of their success. Other pizza chain shall learn this trade secret and improve their platter. I guess wiki leaks would like to leak this trade secrets with photos was well. I have posted here on my blog for them.


Having finished clicking pictures I left home walking home in rain. It was memorable day.. thanks guys. We humans own u.
Based on true story. Picture and the Bills are not fictious.

This is Platform, I live here, I eat, sleep drink sometime even smoke, and may be I will die on the same bench, where the man is sitting right now and whose boots I am polishing. I charge mere 5 five rupees that comes out to be about 0.02 dollar. Nothing has changed since I was borne, I didn't make any asset other than a brush, a can of polish and a gunny bag. I put my best efforts to at least have three customers, to meet my need of three VADA PAVS, five rupees each three times a day. Breakfast, lunch and diner. I live a lavish life style. Isn’t it???


Every morning I try to get up early in the morning, to find some one in dire need to get his boot polished, as the sun raises the chances get slim as the other competitors get up and steal away the chances. Though they are my friends and I share the same platform, for me "business is business". I work very hard till 1.00 am I mostly enter the empty bogies and check for lost valuables/mobiles, purse, even the water bottles. Statistically chance is 1/1000 though I try, may be the chance I take is one I need.

Money is some thing I like. It smells good, feel good, looks good, and taste good (once in blue moon I go for half chicken rice rupees 15 a plate). People say my eyes sparkle as diamonds when I see money. I fast once a week. I don’t do it because I believe in god, or any ritual. I fast when the booth polish runs out and I am suppose to buy a new can. It scared a hell out of me. It costs me Rs 20 for the cheapest one. (More than the cost of 3 Veda pavs.).

I do dream big, VERY BIG, to have a lavish lunch, A full chicken a rice plate. I never had in my life, It costs Rs. 60)(cost of 12 vada pavs, my three days meal). May be i will have some time.

Problem is, as I am growing in arithmetic progression my hunger is increasing in geometric progression. Every other variable of my life remain constant. The cost of Vada Pav, Amount I get for shoe polishing, The train, and its schedule.

As I feel after many years, and millions of Pavs I will match the size of the bench on which I sleep, Then I will start to shrink with old age, crippled, and some day I will die waiting of a vada, I don’t know how much it would cost then. Who will buy for me.? The bench would have been taken over by some one else. I want some one to inherit my assets The brush , polish and the Bag, some one my own.

It won’t happen because I didn’t.