my frnds,my enemies???

people around me seem
to be my worst enemies
unknowingly,
praising my frail frame of
flesh,bones and blood.
Feeling voice of cuckoo,
in my tired & lost voice,
calling me kid when i am
ready to feel the 'meaning'
of life,entered the 2nd phase
with pretty good looks,
keeping me always on
the holistic"hooks"
how should i exhibit
my aspirations for shower
of eternal ,unending
flow of love
entering my pious soul
piercing my heart and
melting the hard snow
frozen by my self-imposed
imaginary fears,settled
through some childhood "tears".
My prayers are falling
on deaf ears,making my
inner cries crushed and
shorter.
Do'nt be deceived by the
broader colgate smile,
hidden behind burning eyes,
weeping within,
dying inside,
yes, I am ****sha.

The Daily Passenger

Seth Gian Chand, as he was referred to, in the social circle of the town, called Palwal was a wholesale cloth merchant. He used to run the business under the name of M/S.Ganga Ram Gian Chand. He used to purchase all kinds of coarse clothes from the cloth markets of Chandni Chowk,Delhi and Surat in Gujrat. That being the begining of new businesses, every transaction was carried out in cash or through the bank where the purchaser had to retire the documents sent by the seller by paying the amount of bill to the bank.On receiving the payment,the bank had to handover the bilti,as it is called in local dialect(delivery challan). After presenting this challan to the transport company, delivery of goods was taken to one's shop or godown.

Gian Chand had employed four cloth cutters for cutting the rolls of cloth in different sizes of shirts,kurtas and pyjamas. Vests were also made with a pocket in front to keep the money safely and near to one's heart.Two more persons were employed to stich these clothes into readymade garments.A first floor near the shop had been taken at a rent of Rupee five a month to keep the stock of clothes.Four sewing machines and ten scissors were there for the cutters and tailors.After stiching and folding, the garments were sent to the shop to be sold in bulk to local retailers and smalltime shopkeepers of nearby villages.Retail sale was not done by Gian Chand keeping the interest of local dealers in mind.

First floor was having four portions of almost 10"*12" each. The first one was kept empty for using it for random,second portion was used by employees,third one was used as small godown and fourth one was reserved as a reception cum restroom.This fourth room was used by Gian Chand for taking afternoon nap and receiving business visitors from Surat and Delhi for an overnight stay.There was a neem tree behind the building which kept the first floor cool and airy.

After taking the lunch,as he was preparing to leave the shop for his regular nap when the postmaster called him to take call from Agra.He was delighted to hear the news of becoming father.He happily gave a one rupee note to the postmaster which he took with folded hands and lot of thanks.Gian sent Nebha Ram,employee of the shop,to his home to inform his parents.He also asked him to bring sweets from Shankar Halwai( sweetmaker) for distribution to all the shopkeepers nearby.After this he began to plan bigger celebrations when his first sibling will set foot in his hometown,Palwal.

The Daily Passenger

It was 11 a.m. now.

The hospital was witnessing growing number of patients as the day was progressing. During 60's medical facilities were not as commonly available as are today.Even the wealthy and influential people had to visit the Government hospital for their common deceases. But one thing that separates the modern times from that era is absence of calmness in patients today. Everybody wants a magic drug/medicine to get cured in a day. Kishan Chand was waiting at the reception with such calmness that he did not bothered to inquire about the condition of Leela even after a lapse of two hours.

At around 11.44 a.m., a nurse appeared at the reception and called the name of Kishan Chand.

Kishan nodded positively to her and asked," What is the matter?"

"The God has gifted Mrs. Leela a baby boy". told the nurse to him.

Kishan Chand thanked her a lot and offered her a tip of 25 paise which she hesitatingly accepted.He was happy that she had delivered a boy. It was a great news for everybody in the family.He was getting eager to share this news with his brother-in-law at Palwal. As Laaj, his wife, was with Leela, he asked the duty nurse at the reception to take care of belongings for use of newly born and Leela. She happily agreed to his proposal.

After leaving the reception, he picked his cycle from the cycle stand and started for the Post office to telephone his brother-in-law, Gian Chand about the new development in his life. As he turned towards Sadar Bazar, he saw his younger brother, Hari coming back. He congratulated him and instructed him to take care of Leela and Laaj until he returns. Hari was also delighted to hear this news. He booked a Trunk Call to Palwal Post Office. Luckily, his call was succesful in half an hour. The shop of Gian Chand was in front of Post Office in the city. As soon as the call from Agra materealised, Postmaster called Gian to his table where the telephone instrument was lying.

"Jeeja Shri,(Dear brother-in-law) congratulations. you have become father of a boy today. Both are in excellent condition". Kishan told Gian Chand. "Thank you. I also reciprocate the same. Do you need any kind of help for Leela?" asked Gian. "No, thanks. I will take care of Leela. Please congratulate your parents on becoming Grand Father and Grand Mother." "Yes. I will communicate to them. Please take care of Leela and the child." Gian said lovingly to Kishan and disconnected the telephone.

The Daily Passenger had put his first step in the world for his lifelong journey.

The Daily Passenger

"Doctor sahib,Kishan Chand told the nurse sitting at the admission bench,"I want my sister to be admitted".

"What is the problem?" she asked in a peaceful tone which was the part of her profession. Kishan Chand hesitated to answer her question and instead asked Laaj to tell the nurse about the position of Leela. These were times when men and women were supposed to maintain a dignified distance while moving in the society. Laaj told the nurse about the pregnancy of Leela.
"Oh! I see." she chirped and handed them an admission form to fill. As Kishan Chand was fifth class passed, he easily filled the admission form printed in hindi, the national language of India(Bharat).
After this formality, the nurse directed Laaj to take Leela to Dr. Vijaya Verghese, gynaecologist posted at the hospital, in room number 3. As Laaj accompanied Leela to meet the doctor, Kishan Chand waited at the reception.
After about five minutes ,Hari, his younger brother reached the hospital. He was still unmarried and was working with Military Engneering Services, (M.E.S.) of Indian Army in Agra. Kishan Chand instructed him to send a telegram to their brother-in-law at Palwal informing him of the admission of Leela at hospital. After enquiring about the health of Leela, Hari left for the Post Office situated at Sadar Bazar, Agra.
In the room number 3, Dr. Vijaya Verghese examined Leela, who had started crying in a low voice due to increasing pains. Doctor felt the position of the baby by touching the lower parts of her body. As there were no ultrasound and other advanced scanning machines available at that time, only experience of the doctor was the sole barometer of decision regarding the time and mode of delivering a baby.
After examination Dr. Vijaya ordered the attending nurse to shift the Leela at Bed no. 31 which was very near to Labour Room. Doctor Vijaya also instructed the nurse to get ready for the delivery in next two hours.Leela was shifted to bed from Examination room,now crying little loudly with Laaj, her bhabhi,(wife of one's brother) touching her head in a loving gesture and constantly advising her to pray and calmdown.

The Daily Passenger

It was a wet and humid morning on the 20th of August'61. These were the days of heavy rains in all over the northern India. Dry land was soaking the entire water splashed by the God of Rains called "Indra". This process in turn was creating humidity,which was irritating for all living creatures. Rains had just stopped and the people of Agra, a town situated at a distance of 230 kms. from Delhi, were coming out of their homes to take care of their business,unfinished works and household purchases. It was around 9 a.m.
Kishan Chand Chawla, a dry fruit merchant at Naulakha,Sadar Bazar,Agra was also getting ready to go to his shop when her wife, Laaj, told him that his sister, Leela, married to a cloth merchant of Palwal in Haryana district, was in pains of first delivery and needed to be taken to a hospital. Leela had come fifteen days back to deliver her first child at the request of his brother at Agra. In olden times it was almost the practice to deliver ones' first child at parents home. Kishan immediately called his aide, Nandu, waiting outside to bring cycle rickshaw for taking Leela to Agra Medical College situated at a distance of 3 kms from their home. He also instructed Nandu to inform his brother, Hari Chawla about it. Leela and Laaj started for A.M.C. alongwith some old clothes and items necessary for after delivery situation. Kishan Chand also followed them on his cycle to take care of the admission of his sister in A.M.C.,Agra. After crossing the Hari Parvat area they reached the hospital in about half an hour. Kishan Chand paid the rickshaw-puller 75 paise and parked his cycle in a makeshift cyclestand after paying 5 paise to a little boy deputed there for the security of cycles. He then picked up the bundle of clothes etc. brought by her wife and headed for the registration counter alongwith Leela and Laaj.

The Daily Passenger

A nurse was constantly monitoring the condition of Sanjay in the ICU. At 2 a.m., she began to take the rate of heartbeat, blood pressure and temperature of Sanjay in her treatment sheet. Suddenly, Sanjay felt uneasiness in breathing and told the nurse by pointing towards his nose. The nurse immediately checked the oxygen tube and cylinder valve for any malfunctioning but found everything in order. But as she observed the mouth of Sanjay opening for inhaling the oxygen, she instantly called the senior resident doctor over the intercom and told him about the condition of Sanjay. As the doctor reached in the waiting hall of ICU, Vivayk and Shyam saw him going towards the room of Sanjay. As they were both talking about the Sanjay and his life, they were awoke at this hour. After examining the Sanjay, doctor immediately instructed the nurse to prepare for angiography. He also called the Cardiologist, Dr. Anupam Singh living in the staff accomodation provided within the hospital premises. Before Dr. Singh arrived there , all the necessary equipments and support staff were in place. Kamlesh was also awoke now and started praying for the wellness of Sanjay. She again found herself in emotional stress. Vivayk, Shyam and Kamlesh now were standing outside the ICU, all praying to the almighty. Inside, Sanjay was thinking about the past life, good and bad times, about relationships, friends,family and the God when he lost senses and mind allowing him to race back to memories of his entire life.

The Daily Passenger

When they reached the intended room it was almost 10.30pm.But Sanjay was waiting for his family as the nurse had told him about their arrival.He was finding it difficult to keep awake.Kamlesh,his wife,entered as a first visitor of family after wearing special cloth shoes kept there for entering in the ICU of the hospital.She felt her heartbeat rising as she saw the different tubes of oxyzen and glucose clinging to her husband's body.Slowly and steadily she moved towards the bed and called her husband softly by his nickname "Sanju".Sanjay opened his eyes and tried to smile.He muttered some words which were unaudible for Kamlesh.She pushed herself closer to Sanjay and asked,"What"? This time she heard Sanjay clearly.He was telling her that he was fine.She took his hands in her own and pressed gently and reassuringly.She was forbidden to weep inside the ICU as the patient may get imotional and risk the second heart attack.She just talked about Karan and Chavee,their childern.As she was finding it hard to see her husband in this condition,she told him about the other persons waiting to see him.He told her to request them excuse on his behalf as he was feeling tired and weak.She kissed his forehead and muttered some prayers before leaving the room.She slowly closed the door behind her.She thanked the almighty that her husband was not in a critical condition.As she entered the waiting hall outside ICU,she was mobed by Vivayk,her parents and Shyam.She explained to them the condition of Sanjay and his instructions of not disturbing him.They all immediately agreed and decided against meeting him.Everyone was at ease after hearing about the out of danger condition of Sanjay.They all decided to have tea and discussed further plan of action.Later on,it was decided that her parents shall go back and remaining three shall stay back to take care of any emegency.Nitesh Raj was also relieved after offering him lot of thanks with tearful eyes.