Rekhta Shayari

 कुछ रिश्ते थे जो छूट गए, कुछ अपने थे जो रूठ गए,

कुछ गैरों ने था साथ दिया, कुछ अपने थे वो छूट गए। 

कभी चलते थे अर्श पर, कभी गिरे भी हम फ़र्श पर,

कुछ गैरों ने था थाम लिया, कुछ अपने हमें भूल गए। 

जब चलते चलते थक गए, कुछ देर जब हम रुक गए,

दिखने लगे वो काम हमें, जिन्हें पूरा करने से हम चूक गए। 

याद आते हैं वो दिन, जब लिखते थे और गाते थे,

ज़िम्मेदारियाँ पड़ी इतनी, पूरा करते खुद को भूल गए। 

The Negative of Being Positive

We all know that being positive in life is very important. It makes us strong enough to go through the tough times. Being positive gives us the courage to bear the hardships of life. A positive person survives through the storms of life. Tough times don’t last, tough people do. There are many more other quotes and free motivational speeches that we hear all around us. The net and the social media are full of it and every morning this is reminded to us.

But being positive sometimes, like all things, has its downside as well. It doesn’t let you accept the gravity of situation. Being positive does not let you accept if you are wrong. We think, we know in our heart that we are right and our intuition is guiding us to be strong and keep walking the path and not give up. But what if you are in the Wrong Path? What if, what you believe to be your intuition is your ego that is not letting you change? How do you know if you are following your inner voice or just plainly being too stubborn to change because like everyone else you are Afraid of the Change?

I have seen strong people. I have been with positive people. I know quite a few who are still being strong and positive believing that life would change for better one day. Some of these friends I know have made their lives better and some are still struggling to come out of their situation. I was sitting and thinking about these friends, whom I have met, lived and shared a good part of my life with. When I met these friends, one was at the lowest of his life, worst than any one of us could have survived but he was alive and kicking. The other was the happiest among the lot, or so it seemed. Smile was the guise to hide the pain. There was another who has never seen success and was happily and desperately in seeking success. Still, one had touched the high of life and was now facing the downs.

Some of these close friends have come out of their tough times and some are still clawing out. Everyone I know were positive people, believing in the goodness and following their heart. The lesson for all to learn was that being positive is good but you also have to evaluate the gravity of your situation and change. The faster you learn the faster you come out of your situation. I remember the friend who learnt it first and started changing his life around, is today in a very strong and comfortable position. The second friend is also doing well in life. The others I am sure will also come out as soon as they learn about the negative of being positive.

Being positive in life is good, but if it’s been too long without any results then, EVALUATE the gravity of situation, ADAPT and CHANGE!!!

Vikas Gurung

31/08/2018

12:03 p.m.

Jab Harry Met Sejal to Torture the Audience

Imagine if you are poisoned, then strangulated and hung by the ceiling with a rope, your veins are cut by your wrist and shot on chest twice while you are still hanging by the ceiling and bleeding slowly. The SLOW DEATH that you would experience is what I felt during the two and a half hours of watching #JabHarryMetSejal

In a time when Salman and Aamir Khan are making movies like Sultan and Dangal that inspires young ones to not give up in life, Shahrukh Khan is still making movies like #JabHarryMetSejal. Shahrukh and Imtiaz both have lived in Delhi and will definitely have some Punjabi friends who could have easily given them a lot of tips about playing the role of Punjabi Guy. However creators of the movie chose to use the pseudo-intelligence to create the character of a Punjabi guy. Someone please tell Shahrukh that a Punjabi guy is more than “Maa Ki.... and Bhen Ki....”

As for Anushka Sharma, I pity her a lot for this movie. It seemed that while she understood that Tango is a two person thing and desperately tried to keep some semblance of sanity in movie, Shahrukh was in his own psycho trip. Talking of Two to Tango, while Anushka was doing Tango Shahrukh was doing Bhangra. Point being from Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi to #JabHarryMetSejal, Anushka it seems has grown as an actor but Shahrukh is growing in a different tangent altogether.

The movie is certified U/A but DON’T TAKE YOUR KIDS FOR THIS MOVIE. You don’t want your 10 year old learning or getting confused with Maa ki and Bhen ki, twice in every sentence that Shahrukh speaks.

I saw this movie last Sunday because my son insisted on seeing this movie but I am writing this review on Wednesday. It took me three days to come out of the Trauma called #JabHarryMetSejal You might not care about the money you waste in this movie but your life and your time is important, Don’t Waste It.

Hotel Dhauladhar – Serving Silently

When you are looking for a place to go out for drinks and dinner with friends or family, what options do you have? In Dharamshala, everyone has their personal favourite but one that is not so common hangout or eating joint of the locals is Hotel Dhauladhar of Himachal Tourism. Why isn’t that place the favourite hangout of the locals? May be the thought of driving all the way to Kotwali Bazaar is the reason or the thought that it’s a government thing mainly used by public servants or some other ten thousand reasons of twenty thousand people. I also had mine but lately on a couple of occasions I had the opportunity to visit and experience the service and hospitality of Hotel Dhauladhar and its staff. Here’s my review.

Hotel Dhauladhar, Kotwali Bazaar, Dharamshala is more commonly referred as Dhauladhar by the locals. “Main Dhauladhar mein hoon, tu bhi wahi aaja” is a common phrase heard at the restaurant. This place can always boast for many things but doesn’t do that, may be it wants us to understand its beauty and value. As a local of Dharamshala, think of it this way. If you are going out with your friends or family for Dinner at Dhauladhar, you’ll get parking space. Although sometimes I feel the parking is a tad bit smaller than needed but it’s ok, they are experienced in handing traffic situation.

Once you are in, you get a large restaurant with decent seating space. Cross the restaurant and you would get the BEST view of Kangra Valley. That’s when you realize that the government departments are really good at choosing locations for hotels and rest houses. You could sit inside the restaurant or at the veranda, if you want to sit out and eat even when it’s raining or you could take the steel furniture at the lawn. No matter where you sit the beauty and view that you would get is simply awe inspiring and breathtaking.

For locals of Dharamshala, Dhauladhar is “ghar ki murgi daal baraabar”. But trust me the current chef at Dhauladhar made Daal that competes and beats any Murgi dish. This is a place where Dad gets served his favourite drink, kids get big grassy lawns and open space to play, and mother can order dishes that she loves and get pampered. The staff at Dhauladhar may not have a constant grin plastered on their face but they are courteous and accommodating. Polite and decent in their speech they are perfect service staff. The cutlery is good, place is clean and food is fresh and tasty. That’s way more than any person expects from any restaurant.

I could write a thousand more words about it but I would rather you go and experience Hotel Dhauladhar at Kotwali Bazaar, Dharamshala. It’s worth a visit by the locals.

Five Places to Experience in Dharamshala

My friend has been telling me for a long time that being a native of Dharmshala, I am obligated to write about my hometown. I think he is right and it is time I wrote about my hometown. I am not going to write about how to get there and the usual things, you can find it in numerous sites. I have a few of my favourite places where I love to go in Dharmshala. These places are not just tourist spots but experiences in themselves. In case you are not able to find these places, feel free to ask the locals they are always more than happy to help. So, here I am sharing “Five places to experience in Dharmshala”.

Coffee Talk at McLeodganj

Walking down the temple road in McLeodganj, you can easily miss this place, passing it for any other coffee shop. But one must not miss it, especially if you take your coffee seriously. They use the same coffee machines like everyone else but it’s the way they make the coffee that makes this place different. Here the coffee is made, to your taste.

This is the place where you will get what’s called and is, Dry Cappuccino. If you are one of the few who relish the black coffee, you’ll find a perfect cup here, sans the residue that is always the problem. For people who like to experiment with their coffee, feel free to ask, the person at the counter would be happy to oblige. This place also serves some lip-smacking snacks and eatables, but that would be for you to discover.

Nature Walk in Dharamkot

Everyone has at one time or the other toyed with the idea of leaving the world and wander in the woods. If you want to experience it without giving up the real world, then head towards Dharamkot, just a kilometer from McLeodganj. You can drive till this point or you can walk from Bhagsunag. From Dharamkot one way goes towards Triund and other is the road less travelled.

This path leads through dense forest where nothing exists but you and nature. In winters you could be walking in the clouds and in summers you could experience the serenity of the woods. Invariably, a walk on this path will make you spiritual, inspiring you to think about the deeper meaning of life and existence. It may also teach you the true meaning of Inner Peace. To know what it brings out or what you soak in, you will have to walk on the path less travelled.

Hill Top of Indrunag

Have you ever wondered what would it feel like to be, On Top of the World? A chosen few do know and they didn’t have to become billionaires, they just went to Dharmshala. Roughly, four kilometers by road from Dharmshala city is Indrunag temple on a hilltop. Standing there you will have the high and mighty Himalayas on one side and the beautiful Kangra Valley on the other.

This is one place where you can sit and contemplate the lessons of life. The spiritual awakening that started during the walk in the woods carries on here on top of the hill. The tranquillity of the place helps you understand the meaning of peace and being one with the nature. Here, one can have three-sixty degree view of nature. Once you see, snow-clad mountains, tea gardens, trees bearing flowers of different colours, step-farms of the hills, rivers, valley and clear blue sky, all in one gaze you are bound to fall in love with nature. This is the place that makes you want to live again because by now, you know that, Life is Beautiful.

Espresso Bar on Khanyara Road

The reason one goes to a hill station is to sit and relax in a quiet place where you can be one with the nature and listen to the water flowing. After visiting any of the places above, one understands the beauty and importance of silence. Espresso Bar on Khanyara road is surely the place where you can sit quiet and listen. Built on the bank of river Manjhi at the foothill of a mountain, this is the perfect place to spend time with yourself.

Espresso Bar is famous among the locals and the tourists alike. Solitary souls, young couples and families, all come here to spend quality time. It’s a perfect place to relax and laze. Here, you can quietly enjoy the sumptuous food from the menu or spend the whole day reading a book with a drink by your side and the sound of flowing water in the background. If you forgot to bring a book along, there are quite a few in the bookshelf to choose from. Coffee aficionados should ask for The History Of Coffee, compiled by the owner himself. You can sit by the pool or dip in, to beat the summer heat. To know about history and geography of Dharmshala talk to the owner, a retired army officer. By the end of the conversation you would feel that you have made another friend. If at the end of the day you feel you cannot have enough of the place, he also provides home stay with bed and breakfast by the name of Santushti Home Stay.

The Cliff, Rooftop Restaurant of Blossoms Village Resort

You cannot see a mountain by standing on top of it; you have to view it from a distance to enjoy the beauty. To claim that I have seen Dharmshala, you have to see it from The Cliff, Rooftop Restaurant of Blossoms Village Resort which is a few kilometres away from the main city of Dharmshala in village Sidhpur.

The moment you reach the rooftop restaurant and see the scenery, you cannot help but feel awe for the pristine beauty of Dharmshala. Sit outside with your feet up and be one with the nature, gazing at the mountains. With hands behind your head and eyes closed, soak the sun while cool breeze touches your skin. Remember Gulzar’s lines, “Jaado ki narm dhoop aur aangan mei laet kar, aankhon pe kheech kar tere aanchal ke saaye ko, aundhe pade rahe kabhi, karwat liye hue”. This is the place to enjoy Fursat ke raat din. Another thing you get to see in Dharmshala that the city residents have read about, but rarely get to see is - Stars. I realised this after I left Dharmshala. A thing that I would strenuously recommend you to experience from The Cliff is the wonder of nature called ‘Moonrise’. I have no words to describe it. It can only be felt and witnessed as an experience of a lifetime. Make sure it’s a full moon night to get the best.

A perfect place to end the day, do ask the chef for some authentic Himachali dish. Here the chef cooks with love and the staff serves with a smile and a warm heart. Somewhere during your dinner the owner will surely come and greet you, gracefully carrying on the tradition of hospitality of the hills.

With this I wish you a lifetime experience in Dharmshala. Bon Voyage.

Happy New Shopping

November and December of 2011 didn't give Delhiites and North Indians, any good reason to shop for Winter Wear. With the change in the calender year, major clothing brands started advertisements about big attractive discounts. I also read them but without paying much heed. Reason? Why would I spend thousands of rupees on clothes which I would not get to wear past January.

But today's newspaper changed it all. A report by Times of India, quoted the met department that the fog and the chill will continue till March. Which means the winter will be extended till March thanks to "the girl" famously known as "La Nina". It reminded me of last year's snowfall in upper region of Himachal Pradesh during April. So it seems kind of possible that winter would be extended till the beginning of summer. But does this also mean that I am going to lose my spring days in February?

Its scary to think, what if, Jack was right in his report and we are going to witness "The Day After Tomorrow". Is this what The Mayans were talking about in their calender? What if, this year is actually going to be The "2012". Scary to think, about the world coming to an end, early in the morning on this cold, chilly and foggy day of the winter.

WAIT!!! I just saw the Delhi Times, there are End of Season Clearance Sales going on. I am going to take out all the issues of Delhi Times of this week and check out the ads. Since, the winter is going to last two more months, Now, it makes more sense to do Winter Shopping that too with huge discounts from 40 to 70%. And keeping the Spirit of Delhi, if this world is going to end this year, then We shall go looking Smart and Beautiful, with our tummies full of Alloo Tikkis and Gol Gappas .

So, my dear friends from Delhi, NCR and North India, I wish you Happy New Shopping and Happy New Hogging (you can hide the extra pounds under the new dress. That's the beauty of winters)

YEEEAAAA....Let's Go Shopping !!!

The Crying Woman

Today I saw two women crying in front of their men. Both men tried pacifying their women using logic to explain their point while women sobbed and poured their heart out. It reminded me of the cliché that women use tears as their ultimate weapon in a discussion. But I was wondering is it really a weapon or is it just that, women put so much of heart and emotion in their men that tears just roll out.

She was crying and painfully trying to tell why it is difficult to live with him but it’s also not possible for her to live without him. He, on the other hand, was using all the logic in the world to explain why it’s not working and staying apart is a good decision. At first it seems that she is the weaker one but look closely and you find that she is the brave one ready to face the situation, while he was using rationale to bypass and avoid it. But, Emotional Beings as they are, women succumb to the logical reasoning of men only because she loves him. She loves him so much that in spite of knowing the pattern of his actions she is ready to forgive him, one more time and give it a try, one more time.

Is logic always the right way of understanding and solving situations? Should we try being emotional, just once, to understand the situation and deal with it? It would probably be easier for a woman to be rational and logical in analysing the situation however, it may not be easy for a man to comprehend and evaluate emotions. “The Woman” might take less time to understand the logic of staying apart as a solution; but “The Man” will probably spend a longer time thinking and chain smoking to get over the pain and the void that her absence has created, now wondering, if it was the right thing to do.

We may never know if we should take the logical or the emotional way of understanding and resolving our situations, but if our hearts are together, so should our lives be.